tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2008 Issue 12

Reader Questions: Remember Reaction Dx on Observation Claim

Question: At 8 a.m., a patient who had undergone a blood transfusion the previous day reports to the ED complaining of fever, nausea, and vomiting. The ED physician performs a level-two observation service. At 2 p.m. that afternoon, the ED physician discharges the patient. What ICD-9 codes should I report? North Carolina Subscriber Answer: Patients who develop these types of symptoms after a blood transfusion must be watched closely, as there is a possibility that the transfusion could cause bacterial contamination. The specific ICD-9 code to represent reactions to transfusions is 999.8 (Other transfusion reaction). So...

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