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Hello,
I hope that someone can give me a good understanding on when to use an "unspecified" ICD-9 code and when not too.
I am in the middle of a project regarding the cleanup of ICD-9 codes in my database. This database was created way before I started with my company. I am finding that 65-70% of the codes in the database are "unspecified". With some of the code sets not providing a more detailed code selection within that code set.
Can someone explain to me how this affects reimbursement for a physician, when using the "unspecified" codes constantly? I will be teaching my physicians that with ICD-10 will require them to be much more specific and using the uspecified code usage could possibly hinder their reimbursement. Am I right to that thought?
Any help would be greatly appreciated
I hope that someone can give me a good understanding on when to use an "unspecified" ICD-9 code and when not too.
I am in the middle of a project regarding the cleanup of ICD-9 codes in my database. This database was created way before I started with my company. I am finding that 65-70% of the codes in the database are "unspecified". With some of the code sets not providing a more detailed code selection within that code set.
Can someone explain to me how this affects reimbursement for a physician, when using the "unspecified" codes constantly? I will be teaching my physicians that with ICD-10 will require them to be much more specific and using the uspecified code usage could possibly hinder their reimbursement. Am I right to that thought?
Any help would be greatly appreciated