tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2004 Issue 5

Reader Question: Don't Assume 'Benign' or 'Malignant'

Question: Our surgeon frequently works with diabetic and stroke patients, and I understand the need to report underlying conditions. But, when should I use a diagnosis of malignant hypertension? If a patient has hypertension, should I report 401.0 or 401.1?California Subscriber Answer: Code 401.x (Essential hypertension) contains three fourth-digit sub-classifications. Because 401.0 (... malignant) describes a life-deteriorating disease, you will rarely use that code (and, unless the physician specifically documents the disease as malignant, you cannot assume that it is malignant).With malignant hypertension, the patient's blood pressure rapidly and severely elevates. The high...

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