Wiki ICD-9 question on orders

[Marla K]

What is the rule when the numeric ICD-9 code supplied by the physician does not match the narrative portion of the diagnosis also supplied by the physician but are connected on the order as one dx?

Can it be coded from the narrative vs the numeric code?

 

[mitchellde]

it goes by the narrative not he number. The number on the claim should be changed to match the narrative.

 

[Marla K]

Thank you for your help. Another person and I were having a discussion if a new order would be needed for this, I was thinking yes and she was saying no, since the narrative was on the order.