A concurrent query for acute respiratory failure is outstanding with no authenticated provider response. What should the coder do regarding that diagnosis?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
A query in flight is a question, not an answer. Until the provider writes back and authenticates, that diagnosis is not chart fact. Park the code until the response lands.
Full Explanation
Compliant coding requires diagnoses to be documented by the provider (or allowable source) before assignment. An unanswered or unauthenticated query does not create a reportable diagnosis. Coders should finalize only after the response is present and authenticated in the health record, or omit the diagnosis if never confirmed. Using query text itself as a diagnosis statement or forcing POA values from query status alone is inappropriate.