tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2005 Issue 11

READER QUESTIONS: Report High-Level E/M for Status Asthmaticus

Question: Should I code documentation that states -acute status asthmaticus- as status asthmaticus or with (acute) exacerbation?New York Subscriber Answer: The physician probably meant -status asthmaticus,- but you should double-check the doctor's intention, because -acute- and -status- describe different conditions. The rest of the notes and the evaluation and management code can also point you to the correct fifth-digit subclassification to use with 493.xx (Asthma).You should use a fifth digit of -1- for asthma with status asthmaticus, such as 493.01 (Extrinsic asthma with status asthmaticus). Status asthmaticus defines a severe and prolonged asthma attack--the...

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