AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2007 Issue 2; Clarifications

Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding with a Single Finding

In the Third Quarter 2005 issue of Coding Clinic, it was advised that “the combination codes describing hemorrhage should not be assigned unless the physician identifies a causal relationship.” This information superseded previous advice provided in Second Quarter 1992. If, however, a patient presents with GI bleeding where only one possible source is found, can the coder assume a causal relationship between the GI bleeding and the single finding (ulcer, gastritis, diverticulitis, etc.) or must the physician explicitly state that the GI bleeding is due to the single finding? ...

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