Why Isn't "Dog Bite" a Valid Diagnosis Code? Diagnosis Coding Rules Explained
"She was bitten by a dog. How much clearer can I be?”
"He fell. That’s what I wrote on the encounter form. He fell.”
Diagnosis coding rules require that when medical practices submit a claim for an injury, the injury itself (laceration, contusion, fracture, sprain) be listed first and the cause of the injury (dog bite, fall) be listed second. These causes, called “external causes” in ICD-9, begin with the letter E. E codes may never be used in the first position on the claim form. Use the physical injury first and the cause second.
Secret Service have fallen.