While coding an inpatient stay, the encoder displays an Excludes1 c…

Question

While coding an inpatient stay, the encoder displays an Excludes1 conflict warning between two diagnosis codes the coder selected. What should the coder do next?

Accepted Answer

Evaluate the documentation and guidelines; resolve the conflict rather than blindly accepting both codes. — That Excludes1 pop-up is the encoder tapping you on the shoulder, not finishing the work for you. Stop, re-read the chart and the guidelines, and fix the conflict like a human.

Answer

Ignore all Excludes1 warnings because they are informational only and never affect code validity.

Answer

Delete both codes so the claim has no diagnoses and avoid the edit.

Answer

Change the admission status to outpatient so Excludes1 rules no longer apply.

While coding an inpatient stay, the encoder displays an Excludes1 conflict warning between two diagnosis codes the coder selected. What should the coder do next?

Short Explanation

Full Explanation