Wiki Primary ICD plus "supporting ICD's"

[MMadrigal]

Exp: When we see a patient for a fractured wrist, and the patient happens to have diabetes, and also on long-term anticoagulant use, should we be coding these two condtions, not because we are treating them, but because the conditions could have an effect on the fracture care provided, or healing ability, etc. ?

Also, if a patient has osteoarthritis of the knees, and has a body mass index over 40, should we be coding the ICD's for morbid obesity and the V-code to measure the BMI, as the weight could have an effect on the knee treatments, (we are not treating the obesity).

If a patient has a history of cancer, regardless of where or what kind, should we also be coding that ICD, in addition to the orthopaedic reason we are seeing the patient for?

Would these addtional ICD's help us in our level of OV, or help prevent us from being down-coded in audits? Thanks so much, Mary Mmadrigal@hawaii.rr.com

 

[cansas]

I would think yes, but I would only do that if your provider mentions these contributing conditions. If they affect how the patient is treated, they will help you from being down coded in an audit due to the medical decision making being higher, because the patient is at a higher risk.