tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2007 Issue 9

You Be the Coder: You Might Not Need Hypoglycemia Code if Patient Has Diabetes

Question: A patient with type I diabetes mellitus participates in strenuous activity and is admitted to the ED with a blood sugar of 26. He is still conscious and he is treated with fruit juice and glucose monitoring until normal levels are achieved. The discharge diagnosis is hypoglycemia. Should I use 251.2 as the primary or the second diagnosis? Texas SubscriberAnswer: No, says Sheri Bernard, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, who shared this scenario with attendees at the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) National Conference in Seattle. The proper coding is 250.81 (Diabetes with other specified manifestations; type...

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