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FAQ: Renal Failure and Dehydration

Published on 

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

 | RAC Information 
 | FAQ 

Q:

In ICD-9, there were several Coding Clinics that instructed us to sequence Acute Renal Failure as the principal diagnosis when a patient is admitted with Acute Renal Failure due to Dehydration. Has this advice changed in ICD-10?

A:

Yes, this advice has changed per Coding Clinic, First Quarter 2019, page 12.  Effective with discharges March 20, 2019, either Dehydration or Acute Kidney Injury could be sequenced as the principal diagnosis based on the reason for admission. Querying the physician is advised when the reason for admission is unclear. Coding Clinic has specified, “There is no rule that acute kidney injury should always be sequenced first.”

The MACs have begun selecting Acute Renal Failure DRGs for review.  Please review your cases with this Coding Clinic in mind.

Reference:

Coding Clinic, First Quarter 2019, page 12. 

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.