Wiki Intractable vs. not intractable

[lmfort]

Trying to understand intractable vs not intractable. For example...if a patient has one seizure a year, is that intractable? Also, can you point me to documentation to support the answer?
Thank you!

 

[talton0206]

There are instructional notes at the beginning of the section explaining, for coding purposes, what the term intractable means.

Intractable epilepsy is a seizure disorder in which a patient’s seizures fail to come under control with treatment. These seizures are sometimes also called “uncontrolled” or “refractory.” It is important to ask the provider to clarify whether the patient has had a seizure or epilepsy (seizure disorder). Although the two terms are often used simultaneously, a seizure (which is a single occurrence) is different than epilepsy (which is defined as two or more unprovoked seizures). The term intractable (or "uncontrolled" or "refractory to medication") would only apply to patients with epilepsy or "seizure disorder".

If it is an isolated convulsion, seizure-like movements, "fit" I would code from the signs and symptom section. (R56.9)

Here are a couple of links to websites that explains the distinction very well:
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/epilepsy/

http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/refractory-epilepsy

Hope this helps