"Covering for" gram negative pneumonia

kaypiper220@gmail.comkaypiper220@gmail.com
in Clinical & Coding
Does the phrase "covering for" equate to a term of uncertainty for a diagnosis?  For instance if the provider documents,  “Pneumonia – covering for gram negative and atypical organisms," how would you code it?  Do you interpret it to mean "possible" gram negative pneumonia?  Would you query?  If so, how would you word the query?  Please provide resources that support your decision?   
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Comments

  • ksaalmullerksaalmuller
    We do not accept "Covering for." This is a term of uncertainty. If the provider changes his documentation to "treating for/as," on the other hand, we code it.
  • kay.piperkay.piper

    Hi - why do you accept "treating for/as"? Please cite your references?

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