Specificity in Getting MS-DRG Assignment Just Right

ICD10monitor November 6, 2023
Laurie M. Johnson, MS, RHIA, FAHIMA, AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer

I wanted to write today about the Coding Clinic from the American Hospital Association for the third quarter of 2020 – specifically, pages 28-29, titled “Right middle cerebral artery infarction and bilateral carotid artery occlusion,” which has a question about coding the diagnosis. The provider documented that the right carotid artery stenotic plaque caused the right middle cerebral artery infarction.

The Coding Clinic response was to code the cerebral artery infarction due to right carotid artery stenosis/occlusion. The stenosis/occlusion of the left carotid artery should also be coded.

I found this advice very helpful when reviewing payor denials. If a coder assigns a diagnosis code for the infarction of the right middle artery (I63.511), in addition to the infarction of...

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