Medical Billing Forum

Coding => Coding => : TxJFP May 05, 2011, 11:33:10 AM

: ER coding
: TxJFP May 05, 2011, 11:33:10 AM

Hello,

Just to reclarify ER coding.
Is the final diagnosis that the Dr states the diagnosis we as a coder for the ER dept should be coding? Or, is it when the patient visits the ER the coder starts coding what they went in for?

I know weird question, just have a possibility of assisting someone but I haven't had my hands on ER coding in nearly 6 months.

Thanks,

Jesse

: Re: ER coding
: Michele May 06, 2011, 09:48:21 AM

Here I go with my "I'm not a coder" lead in....which is usually followed by a "but"...

I'm not familiar specifically with ER coding however, I always thought that the primary diagnosis on the claim was the main reason for the services (determined by the dr).  The patient may complain of pain in their side, but it may be appendicitis.  The dx would be appendicitis which was causing the pain in the side.  So I would think you would diagnose based on the Dr, not the complaints from the patient.

JMO