radiology coding, ED dept.
I'm a little confused on this. If the final dx by the ED doctor is 'knee pain', and the radiology report notes 'evidence of degenerative changes and joint effusion', would you code only the DJD and effusion since pain is a symptom or would you code the pain as the PDX and the DJD and effusion as secondary dx? I realized the radiologist is a physician and his dx are codable, just finding it confusing.
Thoughts anyone? I've read numerous articles, regulations, coding clinic, etc, and understand why you would code the dx for outpatient diagnostic services, just confused on the ED encounters.
Thanks in advance for your input.
