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Coding an Elevated Troponin Level
Published on
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Did You Know?
Effective October 1, 2023, the Alphabetic Index to the code book changed how we are to code elevated Troponin level again.
Why It Matters?
Prior to October 1, 2023, the Alphabetic Index led coders to assign R77.8, Other Specified Abnormalities of Plasma Protein, for an elevated Troponin level, while the advice from Coding Clinic, 2Q 2019, page 6 instructed coders to use R79.89, Other Specified Abnormal Lab Findings of Blood Chemistry. Even though the code book instructions take precedence over Coding Clinic advice, this confused many coders and caused coding errors when coding this condition.
What Can I Do?
Inform coders that the Alphabetic Index has now changed and that R79.89, Other Specified Abnormal Lab Findings of Blood Chemistry is the correct code for an elevated Troponin level.
Resources:
Coding Clinic, 2Q 2019, page 6
Alphabetic Index from the code book, 10/01/2023
Article Author: Anita Meyers, RHIT, CCS
Anita Meyers, RHIT, CCS, is an Inpatient Coding Professional at Medical Management Plus. Anita has over twenty-six years of experience in inpatient and outpatient coding including 17 years of work at AQAF reviewing inpatient and outpatient records from Alabama hospitals. In addition to reviewing records she was the team leader in Beneficiary Services where she participated in case review activities, received and processed beneficiary complaints and handled fee-for-service denials for home health, hospice and skilled nursing facility services. Prior to joining the MMP team, Anita left AQAF to become an inpatient contract coder and worked at various hospitals in central Alabama. In her current position, Anita is an integral part of the Inpatient Services at Medical Management Plus.
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.
