Chronic condition: Using extra dx when contributory to encounter pays off

Article Overview

This article discusses documentation and coding considerations for chronic conditions in patient encounters, with emphasis on when a longstanding condition is relevant to the visit and should be reflected in the claim. It is aimed at coders and billing staff who work with physician office and emergency care documentation and need to understand how secondary diagnoses can support an accurate picture of the service provided. The guidance centers on ICD-9-CM reporting concepts, documentation review, and how condition relevance can affect claim preparation.