Solutions:
Malnutrition can lead to:
If the physician documents moderate-severe malnutrition, coders or CDI specialists should query to determine which of these apply. If the answer is "severe," assign code 261 (nutritional marasmus). If the answer is "moderate," assign code 263.0 (malnutrition of moderate degree). See Coding Clinic, Third Quarter 2012, p. 10.
Severe protein calorie malnutrition is the only remaining malnutrition code that is considered a MCC to increase the relative weight of the assigned MS-DRG.
Malnutrition ICD-10-CM Code range E40-E46.
Table 5ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes for malnutritionICD-9-CM diagnosis codeDescriptionPostsurgical nonabsorptionProtein-calorie malnutrition260Kwashiorkor261Nutritional marasmus21 more rows
E40-E46 - Malnutrition. ICD-10-CM.
Severe acute malnutrition is defined by a very low weight for height (below -3z scores of the median WHO growth standards), by visible severe wasting, or by the presence of nutritional oedema.
E43ICD-10 code E43 for Unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutrition is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases .
Documentation of malnutritionInsufficient energy intake.Weight loss.Loss of muscle mass.Loss of subcutaneous fat.Localized or generalized fluid accumulation that can mask weight loss.Decreased functional status as measured by hand grip strength device.
PCM is expressed as severe if the patient has two or more of the following characteristics: obvious significant muscle wasting, loss of subcutaneous fat; nutritional intake of <50% of recommended intake for 2 weeks or more; bedridden or otherwise significantly reduced functional capacity; weight loss of >2% in 1 week, ...
Code 261 also includes severe calorie deficiency and severe malnutrition, not otherwise specified. 262, Other severe protein-calorie malnutrition — includes nutritional edema without mention of dyspigmentation of the skin and hair.
The main diagnostic features are:weight-for-length/height < -3SD (wasted) or.mid-upper arm circumference < 115 mm or.oedema of both feet (kwashiorkor with or without severe wasting).
Coding Clinic Fourth Quarter 1989 advised the sequencing of code 307.1, Anorexia nervosa, as principal diagnosis for anorexia with severe malnutrition since anorexia implies malnutrition.
19, however, states that a BMI documented by a dietician cannot be coded unless the provider documents a nutritionally-related diagnosis, such as obesity, overweight, underweight, or malnutrition, Kennedy says. These affirm that the BMI code meets the guidelines' definition of an additional diagnosis.