Module 8 Discussion Topic-68

How would an outpatient coder diagnose a patient who was seen with a cough and fever, and the physician feels that it is probably pneumonia? Would an inpatient coder code this diagnosis differently? If so, how would this be coded in an inpatient setting? (Tips: The outpatient coder could code the symptoms as if this is an uncertain diagnosis that has not been confirmed. Outpatient coders are not able to code hunches or guesses. The correct outpatient setting codes to report would be (fill in the blanks, R____ for a cough and R_____for the fever). An inpatient coder could code what the physician feels is the suspected condition (i.e., pneumonia, which is, fill in the blanks, J___).

List two things that you have learned about medical coding from the course that you believe your peers should be aware of if they decide to work or continue to in a healthcare organization.   

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List two things that you have learned about medical coding from the course that you believe your peers should be aware of if they decide to work or continue to in a healthcare organization.During this class, I have learned the importance of coding. Coding is very important, and everything needs to specific. Everybody plays a role with coding and if someone doesn’t do their part, then it messes up the whole process of coding. I also think that the importance of charting is something that everybody should be aware of. If it isn’t charted, then it doesn’t exist. Charting is so important to help with coding. If you document something incorrectly, then it will affect the patients care and also mess everything up with coding. I think class is a great class that anybody who is going into healthcare should take. The class itself was very well put together and I love how the book was very detailed and well written to explain the class and what it consist of.