Question on Principle Diagnosis

cynthia.hudson@christushealth.orgcynthia.hudson@christushealth.org
edited April 2016 in CDI Talk Archive
I have a patient admitted for anemia secondary to GI bleed and hemorrhoid bleed.

The coder has principle of chronic anemia. Procedures were done to control bleeding including ligation of hemorrhoids.

If anemia is left as principle, this codes to 988 -diagnosis unrelated to procedures code.

I coded the GI hemorrhage as principle as it was the cause for anemia.

Is this correct?

Syndi Hudson, RN, CCDS,CCM
CHRISTUS Santa Rosa New Braunfels
CDI Specialist
cynthia.hudson@christushealth.org
830-643-6116 (Office)
830-643-5139 (Fax)
[Description: CCDS_pin_1inch]
"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me." Philippians 3:14



Comments

  • jrileyjriley
    edited April 2016
    The cause of the bleed is the PDx. From your description, it sounds like the hemorrhoids were the source, so the PDX will be hemorrhoids with bleeding. DRG will be 349 without cc/mcc. If ABLA documented, DRG is 348.

    Judy

    Judy Riley, RHIT, CCS, CPC
    Coding/CDI Manager
    LRGHealthcare
    x 3315


  • gwojogwojo
    edited April 2016
    No it is not correct.  If, after further study,  cause of bleed is identified the cause is the principle. 


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