Wiki Pneumonia and COPD

[JJOHN0312]

Now with the 2018 guidelines, how would you determine the sequencing of COPD and Pneumonia? Is there any criteria that would indicate one dx over the other?

Thank you!

Josie

 

[debrak395]

For FY2018 coding has been changed from "use additional code" to "code also" leaving the sequencing to the discretion of the coder. Ex.: If a patient with COPD is not experiencing an exacerbation but it is thought to require admission for treatment of pneumonia, then the condition that occasioned the admission is clearly the pneumonia, and that should be the principal diagnosis. My information from https://www.icd10monitor.com/copd-and-pneumonia-code-first-or-code-also, and https://www.libmaneducation.com/tabular-change-impacts-sequencing-of-copd.

Thank you,
Debra

 

[JJOHN0312]

Yes it was much easier when they applied sequencing guidelines as COPD (principal) with Pneumonia (secondary). The hard part is when they are equally treated. Thanks so much for your insight!!

Josie

For FY2018 coding has been changed from "use additional code" to "code also" leaving the sequencing to the discretion of the coder. Ex.: If a patient with COPD is not experiencing an exacerbation but it is thought to require admission for treatment of pneumonia, then the condition that occasioned the admission is clearly the pneumonia, and that should be the principal diagnosis. My information from https://www.icd10monitor.com/copd-and-pneumonia-code-first-or-code-also, and https://www.libmaneducation.com/tabular-change-impacts-sequencing-of-copd.

Thank you,
Debra