Wiki Early onset vs late onset alzheimer's disease

[trichards139]

Does anyone know if when documentation does not specify early or late onset for Alzheimer's disease, can you default to "late" G30.1 instead of using G30.9 which is "unspecified"? My thoughts are that this would be appropriate since late onset is the most common.

 

[DeannaLynne]

Does anyone know if when documentation does not specify early or late onset for Alzheimer's disease, can you default to "late" G30.1 instead of using G30.9 which is "unspecified"? My thoughts are that this would be appropriate since late onset is the most common.

It is best to code G30.9 without the provider explicity stating "early" or "late."

 

[thomas7331]

Agree with the above, the determination of early vs. late onset can only be made by the provider and can't be assumed - the unspecified code is correct if this information is not documented.

 

[trichards139]

Thank you. I have asked my provider to please specify early vs late when known