pvd with gangrene of toes
how is this coded when its not stated that the patient has atherosclerosis of extremities?
how is this coded when its not stated that the patient has atherosclerosis of extremities?
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I73.9, There is an excludes 1 on I96(gangrene). Here's the article information from Ask the Expert:
Answer: You cannot code I96 (Gangrene, not elsewhere classified) with a code from the I73.- category (Other peripheral vascular diseases) due to an Excludes 1 note at I96.
In this scenario, question the physician to determine if the diagnosis is actually atherosclerosis of the extremities (captured by codes between I70.2- (Atherosclerosis of native arteries of the extremities) to I70.7- (Atherosclerosis of other type of bypass graft(s) of the extremities)), which would be a more specific diagnosis than PVD. If that’s the case, these codes allow you to capture the presence of gangrene, such as with I70.261 (Atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities with gangrene, right leg).
But if not, code only PVD, such as with I73.9 (Peripheral vascular disease, unspecified).