Frankiew
Contributor
Is there a rule that Hypothyroidism should be coded before Dementia?
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Wiki Hypothyroidism
- Thread starter Frankiew
- Start date
lgardner
Guest
I've never heard of such a rule.
may I ask why this has come up?
were you told this was a rule?
Frankiew
Contributor
I code for Home health and this came up today. Another coder said that there is a coding rule that it would be coded this way.
lgardner
Guest
I code Home Health Certifications for my practice (I know it's not the same), and it seems to me, that dementia could be a more appropriate code than hypothyroidism.
Like I said, I have never heard of any rule like this, but you should be coding the appropriate diagnoses that are being treated.
I can't think of any reason that hypothyroidism would be required to code before dementia, especially in a Home Health situation.
Also, if anyone tells you about a rule, I'd advise asking them for a source. I do coding education for clinicians, and I, always have a valid source to point to (e.g. CMS, my Mac, AMA).
Especially if it doesn't make sense to you.
I hope you find this helpful, even though I couldn't give you a solid answer.
Like I said, I have never heard of any rule like this, but you should be coding the appropriate diagnoses that are being treated.
I can't think of any reason that hypothyroidism would be required to code before dementia, especially in a Home Health situation.
Also, if anyone tells you about a rule, I'd advise asking them for a source. I do coding education for clinicians, and I, always have a valid source to point to (e.g. CMS, my Mac, AMA).
Especially if it doesn't make sense to you.
I hope you find this helpful, even though I couldn't give you a solid answer.
