If the same condition is described as both acute (subacute) and chronic, and separate subentries exist in the Alphabetic Index at the same indentation level, one would code BOTH and sequence the acute (subacute) code LAST. True or false?
llm
Answered on
True. This is a guideline from medical coding practices such as those found in the ICD (International Classification of Diseases). When a condition is described as both acute (or subacute) and chronic and separate entries exist for each in the Alphabetic Index at the same indentation level, both conditions should be coded. The standard coding convention dictates that the acute (subacute) condition should be sequenced after the chronic condition. This is because the chronic condition is considered to be the underlying, ongoing issue, while the acute condition is a more immediate, but temporary, manifestation.