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Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

READER QUESTION ~ Details Dictate 'New Onset Seizure' Diagnosis

Published on Tue Mar 27, 2007

Question: How should I code -new onset seizure-? According to the discharge summary, the patient's symptoms improved, and the physician believed a diabetic hypoglycemic episode caused the seizure.

Illinois Subscriber Answer: As always, your neurologist's documentation will drive your diagnosis coding.

If your physician's documentation doesn't specify many details about the patient's seizure, report 780.39 (Other convulsions). But if you do have additional information, you should probably also report the appropriate diabetes diagnosis.

Check the 250.xx (Diabetes mellitus) category for the best options. Code 250.8x (Diabetes with other specified manifestations) might be the best choice if your physician clearly documented the diabetic hypoglycemia.
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