Question

Which is coded first when there is an acute and a chronic condition? (according to ICD-10)

A) Acute condition
B) Chronic condition
C) Code both conditions separately
D) Code based on physician preference

Answer 1

When there is an acute and a chronic condition, you should code both conditions separately in ICD-10.

Step-by-step explanation:

When coding for an acute and chronic condition, the general rule in ICD-10 is to code both conditions separately. This means that each condition should be assigned its own unique code. You should capture the acute condition first, followed by the chronic condition. This order is important because it reflects the severity and focus of treatment. For example, if a patient has both acute bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you would assign separate codes for each of these conditions.