BC Advantage - 2018 Issue 1

Important CDI and Coding Updates

COPD and Pneumonia The requirement for code J44.0 (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute lower respiratory infection) to be coded first when a patient has pneumonia and COPD has been eliminated as of October 1.The 2018 version of ICD-10-CM replaced the "use additional code" with "code also." According to OCG Section I.A.17, the Code Also note "does not provide sequencing direction. The sequencing depends on the circumstances of the encounter."We are now back to where the selection of principal diagnosis between COPD and Pneumonia will be "determined by the circumstances of admission, diagnostic...

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