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Wiki cellulitis without an organism

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gardnertel123

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Is it ok to use ICD9 cellulitis codes without the additional organism code?

I have a provider that NEVER gives the organism, he only gives the diagnosis as cellulitis. I have used 041.9, Bacterial Infection, unspecified in the past and am now being told to only code the cellulitis w/o the organism if none is supplied.

Which is the correct way to code this scenario? Without the organism or with 041.9 ?

Terry
 
Cellulitis

682 Other cellulitis and abscess
Use additional code to identify organism, such as Staphylococcus (041.1)
Includes:
Abscess (acute)
Cellulitis (diffuse) - (with lymphangitis) Expect of finger or toe
Lymphangitis, acute - (with lymphangitis) Expect of finger or toe
682.9 Cellulitis and abscess of unspecified site
Abscess NOS
Lymphangitis, acute NOS
Cellulitis NOS

So, we can go with 682.9. If the Organism is not Specified
 
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