Hypo-osmolality and hyponatremia. The 2020 edition of ICD-10-CM E87.1 became effective on October 1, 2019. This is the American ICD-10-CM version of E87.1 - other international versions of ICD-10 E87.1 may differ.
A diagnosis that medical coding companies come across quite often, the term encephalopathy broadly refers to brain disease, damage, or malfunction. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines encephalopathy as follows: “Encephalopathy is a term for any diffuse disease of the brain that alters brain function or structure.
Hypo-osmolality and hyponatremia. Abnormally low sodium levels in the blood; salt depletion. Deficiency of sodium in the blood; salt depletion. (Dorland, 27th ed) Lower than normal levels of sodium in the circulating blood.
Static encephalopathy is an altered mental state or brain damage that is permanent. The best possible outcome is to possibly prevent further damage. When encephalopathy is due to hypoglycemia in a diabetic patient, metabolic encephalopathy is reported as an additional diagnosis
The coder assigned the appropriate code for hyponatremia as the principal diagnosis. The coder assigned G9340, Encephalopathy unspecified, as a secondary diagnosis.
ICD-10-CM Code for Encephalopathy, unspecified G93. 40.
When encephalopathy is the principal diagnosis, the UTI can be added as a CC. When the encephalopathy is a principal diagnosis, auditor denials are not the issue; the real concern is with the documentation not supporting it as a reportable condition.
Encephalopathy – ICD 10 Coding and Documentation GuidelinesG92 Toxic Encephalopathy. ... G93.41Metabolic Encephalopathy. ... G93.1 Anoxic Encephalopathy. ... K72.90 Hepatic Encephalopathy/Hepatic failure, unspecified without coma. ... I67.4 Hypertensive Encephalopathy. ... G93.40 Acute and/or Unspecified Encephalopathy.
Acute encephalopathy is characterized by an acute or subacute global, functional alteration of mental status due to systemic factors. It is reversible when these abnormalities are corrected, with a return to baseline mental status. Acute encephalopathy may be further identified as toxic, metabolic, or toxic-metabolic.
Acute toxic-metabolic encephalopathy (TME), which encompasses delirium and the acute confusional state, is an acute condition of global cerebral dysfunction in the absence of primary structural brain disease [1].
The guidance provided from Coding Clinic is that “encephalopathy” secondary to a CVA/stroke is not inherent to a CVA/stroke, and as such it should be coded separately with code G93. 49, Other encephalopathy.
The admission is five days long and the final diagnosis is encephalopathy due to polypharmacy with a metabolic component due to UTI. If toxic encephalopathy (encephalopathy due to drug) is sequenced as the principal diagnosis, metabolic encephalopathy as a secondary diagnosis will act as an MCC.
Metabolic encephalopathy is usually diagnosed through the blood, urine, and spinal fluid samples. Blood tests may also show if there is an infection or if there are drugs or toxins in the blood. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to rule out any brain-related problems.
Acute encephalopathy and delirium are clinically similar, but for coding purposes, very different. Delirium is a low-weighted symptom; encephalopathy is a serious, high-weighted medical condition. Delirium is usually due to an underlying encephalopathy, and clinicians should document as such if clinically present.
Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy D065166.
Metabolic encephalopathy. This happens when another health condition, such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney failure, or heart failure, makes it hard for the brain to work. For example, if blood sugar gets too high in diabetes, it can lead to confusion and even a coma.
HIA can provide your coding staff with a comprehensive understanding of these changes via HIAlearn.
Complete and accurate documentation + Complete and accurate coding = Complete and accurate reimbursement.
This list below causes are not the only causes, but the common causes that coders see.
There are many symptoms associated with encephalopathy, but there is one symptom that is present in all types and that is altered mental status. Coders cringe when they see that documented as well.
Treatment will vary depending on the type and/or cause of the encephalopathy. Here are some of the most common treatments:
The information contained in this coding advice is valid at the time of posting. Viewers are encouraged to research subsequent official guidance in the areas associated with the topic as they can change rapidly.