Follow Steps to Boost ICD 9 Coding

ICD 9 Codes help you to know about new steps to boost your Coding Career.

Your CPT codes should always be linked to a proper appropriate ICD-9 code, however, selecting the proper ICD-9 code for presenting problems versus underlying conditions can be challenging. Here are four steps to boost your ICD-9 coding:
Step 1: Depend on present problem for diagnostics

Establishing whether the patient is symptomatic is a key distinction to make when coding.

When the pediatrician orders testing on a patient in order to rule out or confirm a suspected diagnosis as the patient has some sign or symptom, he is carrying out a diagnostic exam and not a screening. In cases such as these, code the sign or symptom to explain the reason for the test.

Sequencing ICD: If the patient gets only diagnostic services during visit, list the diagnosis, condition, problem, or other reason for the visit on the claim form first. This code should be the main focus of the provider’s services on that day.

Step 2: match coding to final diagnosis

The presenting symptoms may not be relevant if the pediatrician interpreted a diagnostic test prior to coding for the encounter.

For outpatient encounters for diagnostic tests that have been interpreted by a doctor, and the final report is available during the time of coding, code any confirmed or definitive diagnosis (es) documented in the interpretation.

Don’t code related signs and symptoms as additional diagnoses.

Step 3: Check three areas for pre-op exams

If the doctor carries out a pre-op evaluation for a patient, do not code the reason for surgery as the primary diagnosis.

Sequencing ICD: If the main reason for the encounter is a pre-op evaluation, first list a code from category V72.8x to describe the pre-op evaluation. After this, assign a code for the condition prompting the surgery as an additional diagnosis. You should also code any findings related to the pre-op evaluation.

Step 4: Choose ‘V’ codes for screenings

When the patient has no signs or symptoms and you carry out a test solely for screening purposes, sail past typical diagnosis codes and locate an applicable “V" code to describe the test to the payer.

Sequencing ICD: List the screening code first if the reason for the visit is specifically the screening exam. Report the screening code as an additional code; but if the provider carries out the screening during an office visit for other health problems.

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