Wiki "Supportive of" diagnostic description

[MBackes2022]

Hello,
Our providers are notorious for using "consistent with" and "likely" when documenting their diagnoses. We all know in the outpatient setting, these cannot be used. I have a newer provider that has started using "supportive of" , i.e. "clinical presentation is supportive of". Is this something that can be coded, or should it be treated like "consistent with"?

Thanks.

 

[csperoni]

I personally would consider the wording "supportive of" an uncertain term. Unless I could find a reference stating otherwise, I would code signs and symptoms.
Of note: "EVIDENCE OF" is not considered an uncertain term. I would educate my provider about this. If for some reason they don't want to state the diagnosis without some sort of qualifier in front, "evidence of" may be a good alternative.