tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2008 Issue 12

Reader Questions: Coma Code Choice Comes After Diabetes Check

Question: A patient in a hypoglycemic coma reports to the ED via ambulance. The ED physician provides 39 minutes of critical care to stabilize the patient. What is the best ICD-9 code for this patient? Nebraska SubscriberAnswer: It depends on if the patient is in a diabetic hypoglycemic coma, or is in a hypoglycemic coma. According to the ICD-9 definition of diabetic hypoglycemic coma, the condition is "caused by hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia as complications of diabetes." This condition is also known as "diabetic coma (with ketoacidosis)," "diabetic hypoglycemic coma," and "insulin coma NOS." So if...

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