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Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Deciding on Dementia Diagnosis

Published on Mon Nov 05, 2007

Question: What diagnosis codes should we submit for dementia? New Mexico Subscriber
Answer: Determine how you would answer this situation before turning to page 95 for the answer.           Answer: The appropriate diagnosis code is always the one that best fits the patient's condition and the physician's documentation, whether the carrier recognizes it or not. The list of accepted (that is, reimbursed) diagnoses can depend on your carrier's policy. Some allow 780.97 (Altered mental status), which is a new code for 2007. Others prefer a more specific diagnosis from the 290.x family (Dementias) or want 294.8 (Other persistent mental disorders due to conditions classified elsewhere) if you have fewer details.
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