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Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

YOU BE THE CODER ~ Late Effects Might Affect Aphasia Coding

Published on Mon Jan 01, 2007

Question: A patient came to our neurologist because she occasionally has a problem finding words for some things. She is not expressively aphasic. What diagnosis should I code?

Illinois Subscriber

Answer: Ask your neurologist whether 784.3 (Aphasia) or 784.69 (Other symbolic dysfunction; other) are accurate diagnoses. If late effects of a stroke or other cardiovascular disease cause the patient's problem, ask your neurologist about 438.11 (Speech and language deficits; aphasia) or 438.19 (Other speech and language deficits).

If your physician isn't comfortable with these diagnoses, look to something more general like 784.5 (Other speech disturbance).
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