When both acute and chronic conditions are listed as the diagnosis and there is no combination code available, you should:
A) report the code for the acute condition first.
B) report the code for the chronic condition first.
C) report a sign code followed by the acute code and then the chronic code.
D) report a sign code followed by the chronic code and then the acute code.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When both acute and chronic conditions are listed as the diagnosis and there is no combination code available, the acute condition should be reported first. This is because the acute condition is typically more severe and requires immediate attention. However, it is important to note that documentation should support the reporting order of the codes.

When Both Acute and Chronic Conditions Are Listed as the Diagnosis