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Diabetes and Cellulitis

Published on 

Monday, October 30, 2017

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Q:

How do you code cellulitis when a patient also has diabetes?  Can we assume a linkage?


A:

The provider needs to document the cellulitis as a diabetic skin complication before assigning cellulitis related to diabetes.  Skin complication NEC is indexed under diabetes; however, diabetes with cellulitis is not.  The “with” guideline does not apply to “not elsewhere classified” index entries that cover broad categories of conditions.  As always, query the physician when the documentation is not clear.

References

Coding Clinic for ICD-10-CM/PCS, Fourth Quarter 2017 Page 100 

Article Author:

This material was compiled to share information.  MMP, Inc. is not offering legal advice. Every reasonable effort has been taken to ensure the information is accurate and useful.