Question

Hein

COVID-19 GUIDELINE AND CODE UPDAT
9. Which of the following is true about coding suspected, possible, inconclusive COVID-19?
OA. COVID-19 should be coded as the patient's diagnosis.
OB. The COVID-19 observation code should be used for this patient.
OC. Only the patient's signs and symptoms should be coded.
OD. The case should not be coded until the diagnosis has been confirmed.

Answer 1

For suspected, possible, or inconclusive cases of COVID-19, medical professionals should code the reasons for the encounter, such as signs and symptoms, exposure, or screening, instead of coding COVID-19 as the diagnosis, unless the infection is confirmed.

Step-by-step explanation:

When coding for COVID-19, it is important to consider the guidelines provided by such authorities as the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). For a scenario where COVID-19 is suspected but not confirmed, you would typically use the code that refers to the signs and symptoms the patient is experiencing.

According to the latest ICD coding guidelines, only a confirmed diagnosis is coded as COVID-19. If the test results for COVID-19 are inconclusive or pending, or if the patient presents with no symptoms but is being screened for COVID-19, clinicians should code the reasons for the encounter such as exposure or screening, and not COVID-19 as the diagnosis.

Answer 2

d is correct for the answer here