Provider documented 'patient is acutely delirious, etiology unclear'. ICD10 code is F05, delirium, unknown etiology. Tabular section of ICD10 instructs to code first the underlying physiological condition. At this time, condition is unknown. What do I use for the primary diagnosis? I think it would be a stretch, but would R69-unknown illness be an option?
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mitchellde
True Blue
The index for the key word delirious takes you to R41.0. This seems to fit better than a code from the mental disorder chapter.
mitchellde
True Blue
A denial for R41.0? Is because it is unspecified? Then you appeal it with documentation to show that at the time of the encounter the provider could not have had more specific information to render a more definitive diagnosis. Payers are cracking down on the use of unspecified codes so you need to be careful when you use them and be ready with a rationale should you need it.