Wiki Looking For Guidance

[SWsibemom]

I am educating the coders on lab/path coding. The coders told me that if the lab order does not specify the episode of care, they use initial as the default per a coding webinar they listened to years ago when we were transitioning to ICD-10. I have not found any guidance that states initial is the default for all codes when it isn’t provided. IMO they should be looking in the book at that specific diagnosis to see if there is a default episode of care listed. If a default episode of care is not listed, then they should query the ordering provider. If there is guidance that states to always default to initial episode of care when it has not been stated, can you please direct me to where this is located.

Thank you for your assistance.