Judy Sylvester
New
I am new to Palliative care coding for Inpatient care. I have questions regarding both the sequencing of the ICD-10 code, Z51.5 and also the definition of "Code also condition requiring care".
To me, if a Palliative Care provider is called in to see a patient that has a terminal disease and the quality of life is now the issue, the code Z51.5 should be coded as primary and the terminal disease should follow. Or should this be coded as the symptoms and reason for the inpatient stay, followed by the terminal disease and lastly the Palliative care Z code?
For example: Patient is inpatient and came in due to dyspnea that is associated with CHF and ESRD. Palliative care was called to consult because cardiologist can not do anything else and the prognosis is not good. Palliative care providers documents a thorough visit and discusses all options with the patient and family. Would he code for the dyspnea, CHF, ESRD and then the palliative care code, in that order? Or because of the instructions under A51, should he code the Palliative care code, followed by the CHF, ESRD? If so, should he include the dyspnea?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
To me, if a Palliative Care provider is called in to see a patient that has a terminal disease and the quality of life is now the issue, the code Z51.5 should be coded as primary and the terminal disease should follow. Or should this be coded as the symptoms and reason for the inpatient stay, followed by the terminal disease and lastly the Palliative care Z code?
For example: Patient is inpatient and came in due to dyspnea that is associated with CHF and ESRD. Palliative care was called to consult because cardiologist can not do anything else and the prognosis is not good. Palliative care providers documents a thorough visit and discusses all options with the patient and family. Would he code for the dyspnea, CHF, ESRD and then the palliative care code, in that order? Or because of the instructions under A51, should he code the Palliative care code, followed by the CHF, ESRD? If so, should he include the dyspnea?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.