Wiki Acute Blood Loss Anemia

[dkrueger]

The documentation contains the following: "acute anemia likely secondary to GI bleeding." Is this statement sufficient to justify the code for acute blood loss anemia? Thank you.

 

[KaylaR2007]

no, the provider is "suspecting" it is due to acute blood loss with a statement such as "likely". We cannot code dx that are uncertain, probable or suspected. You would use 285.9.

 

[dkrueger]

Thank you Kayla. I should have been more specific. This is an inpatient coding question.

 

[gailgordon314]

Thank you Kayla. I should have been more specific. This is an inpatient coding question.

Then yes, inpatient/er coding allows for suspect, rule out and probable diagnosis coding.