What is the correct code to assign for documentation of tobacco dependence (without the term syndrome documented) and does the advice also apply to alcohol and other drugs? A: ACS 0503 Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use Disorders states: Importantly, it should be noted that documentation such as 'on patches' or 'trying to quit' are not justification to classify to the dependence syndrome. The dependence syndrome is defined as a cluster of phenomena … and therefore it is important that a clinical decision to classify a case to this code is made based on that evidence and not because society in general regards all smokers as dependent. Dependence, addiction or dependence syndrome must be documented before F10-F19 with fourth character .2 can be assigned. F17.2 Tobacco dependence syndrome is assigned following index pathways: Dependence - due to - - nicotine F17.2 - - tobacco F17.2 - syndrome — code to F10–F19 with fourth character .2 This rationale also applies to alcohol and other drugs ie dependence, addiction or dependence syndrome must be documented before assigning an appropriate code from F10-F19 with fourth character code .2 dependence syndrome. The misleading statement above Example 8 in ACS 0503 Drug, alcohol and tobacco use disorders will be revised as part of errata 4 to Ninth Edition as follows: F17.2 Tobacco dependence syndrome Assign this code if the patient is diagnosed as having tobacco dependence (syndrome). ACS 0503 Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use Disorders is currently under review for ICD-10-AM Tenth Edition. Published 15 March 2016, for implementation 01 April 2016. Ref No: Q3003 | Published On: 15-Mar-2016 | Status: Current SUBJECT: Respiratory acidosis in a diabetes mellitus patient Q: What is the correct code assignment for respiratory acidosis in a patient with diabetes mellitus? A: Respiratory acidosis is a metabolic derangement of acid-base balance where the blood pH is abnormally low. Respiratory acidosis will occur if the lungs are not ventilating properly resulting in an excess of carbon dioxide in the body (Mondofacto, 1999). Respiratory acidosis may have a variety of different causes, including: COPD Neuromuscular diseases Chest wall disorders Obesity-hypoventilation syndrome Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
What is the correct code to assign for documentation of tobacco dependence (without the term syndrome documented) and does the advice also apply to alcohol and other drugs? A: ACS 0503 Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use Disorders states: Importantly, it should be noted that documentation such as 'on patches' or 'trying to quit' are not justification to classify to the dependence syndrome. The dependence syndrome is defined as a cluster of phenomena … and therefore it is important that a clinical decision to classify a case to this code is made based on that evidence and not because society in general regards all smokers as dependent. Dependence, addiction or dependence syndrome must be documented before F10-F19 with fourth character .2 can be assigned. F17.2 Tobacco dependence syndrome is assigned following index pathways: Dependence - due to - - nicotine F17.2 - - tobacco F17.2 - syndrome — code to F10–F19 with fourth character .2 This rationale also applies to alcohol and other drugs ie dependence, addiction or dependence syndrome must be documented before assigning an appropriate code from F10-F19 with fourth character code .2 dependence syndrome. The misleading statement above Example 8 in ACS 0503 Drug, alcohol and tobacco use disorders will be revised as part of errata 4 to Ninth Edition as follows: F17.2 Tobacco dependence syndrome Assign this code if the patient is diagnosed as having tobacco dependence (syndrome). ACS 0503 Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use Disorders is currently under review for ICD-10-AM Tenth Edition. Published 15 March 2016, for implementation 01 April 2016. Ref No: Q3003 | Published On: 15-Mar-2016 | Status: Current SUBJECT: Respiratory acidosis in a diabetes mellitus patient Q: What is the correct code assignment for respiratory acidosis in a patient with diabetes mellitus? A: Respiratory acidosis is a metabolic derangement of acid-base balance where the blood pH is abnormally low. Respiratory acidosis will occur if the lungs are not ventilating properly resulting in an excess of carbon dioxide in the body (Mondofacto, 1999). Respiratory acidosis may have a variety of different causes, including: COPD Neuromuscular diseases Chest wall disorders Obesity-hypoventilation syndrome Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
accd_coding_rules_march_2016_nz_review.docx