AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 1996 Fourth Quarter
PALLIATIVE CARE
Code V66.7, Encounter for palliative care, has been created effective October 1, 1996 to classify encounters for end-of-life care, hospice care and terminal care. Code V66.7 may not be used as the principal diagnosis. Sequence first the underlying disease, such as carcinoma, AIDS, etc. Code V66.7 may be assigned as an additional code to identify patients who receive palliative care in any health care setting, including a hospital. Palliative care is an alternative to aggressive treatment for patients who are in the terminal phase of their illness. Palliative care is focused towards management of pain and...
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This article covers palliative care documentation and diagnosis coding in a medical coding context. It explains the general purpose of palliative care, the kinds of encounters it applies to, and the relationship between the underlying illness and the palliative care encounter. The content is relevant for coders, CDI professionals, billers, and clinicians who document terminal or hospice-related care.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate identification of palliative care encounters affects diagnosis reporting and helps distinguish the underlying illness from the care provided. The topic is important for organizations managing end-of-life documentation, hospice-related services, and inpatient or outpatient coding workflows.
What You Will Learn
- How palliative care is described in the coding context
- What types of encounters may be associated with palliative care
- How palliative care relates to the underlying illness in documentation
- Why this topic matters for end-of-life coding and record review
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Clinical documentation specialists
- Billers
- Healthcare compliance staff
- Clinicians documenting end-of-life care
Codes Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com