AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2017 Quarter 1; Ask the Editor
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
What is the correct code assignment for a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease without provider documentation of dementia? When referencing the Alphabetic Index, the coding professional is directed to codes G30.9 , Alzheimer’s disease, unspecified, and [ F02.80 ], Dementia in other diseases classified elsewhere without behavioral disturbance. Based on this index entry, are two codes required, or must the provider specifically document Alzheimer’s disease with dementia? ...
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Article Overview
This article discusses a diagnosis-coding question involving Alzheimer’s disease and whether separate dementia documentation is needed. It is intended for coding professionals reviewing ICD-10-CM guidance and understanding how the Alphabetic Index points to related diagnoses.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate diagnosis coding affects claim integrity, code selection, and consistency when chart documentation appears incomplete or ambiguous. This topic is especially relevant for coders working with neurologic and cognitive disorder documentation.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames a documentation question involving Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
- How the discussion relates Alphabetic Index references to diagnosis coding.
- What general documentation issue is being addressed for coding professionals.
- How the topic fits into ICD-10-CM diagnosis assignment guidance.
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Clinical documentation specialists
- Health information management professionals
Codes Discussed
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