Liver Failure

[JulesofColorado]

Hi.

How would you code Liver Failure not specified as acute or chronic? 570 or 572.8?

Thanks

 

[Pam Warren]

In ICD-9, always look up your alpha index first, then move to the tabular index to verify.

So, if you look in the alpha section of ICD-9, it tells you that Failure, Liver is coded to 572.8. Moving to that section of the tabular index, there are not further instructions.

570 codes out to Acute liver failure. If the provider didn't state acute, you can't assume.

I'd code the 572.8.

 

[JulesofColorado]

Thank you!