Wiki Diabetes Code Sequence

[Lassal423]

I have always heard that when you have DM with manifestations (example: 250.40, 585.6 for ESRD), the DM code should always be sequenced first.

Does anyone know if this is a regulatory standard or a coding standard? I'm looking for something 'official' to present to the doctors, so if anyone has a link to CMS, etc. that would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Lora

 

[mitchellde]

It is correct and the "official" you are looking for is the coding guidelines which are in the front of your code book and are updated regularly the website is:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd.htm
look under the ICD-9 CM tab and then guidelines.
The first page about midway down has an important paragraph that begins with "these guidelines are a set of rules............." then goes on to "..adherence is mandated under HIPAA"
Then in these guidelines is a section for diabetes and they tell when the provider documents a causal relationship between the condition and the diabetes, the diabetes is coded first.
These are not CMS guidelines, they are ICD-9 CM guidelines mandated under HIPAA

 

[Lassal423]

Thank you Debra - that is very helpful!