Final answer:
Acute heart failure should be coded separately before the CHF diagnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
When coding for heart failure, it is important to note that acute heart failure is a separate condition from chronic heart failure (CHF). Acute heart failure refers to a sudden onset or worsening of heart failure symptoms, while CHF refers to a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively.
In terms of coding, if a patient is diagnosed with acute heart failure, it should be coded separately from the CHF diagnosis. This is because acute heart failure has its own specific codes in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding system. Additionally, when coding for acute heart failure, the underlying cause or type of heart failure should also be specified.
Therefore, the answer to the question is 1) Yes. Acute heart failure should be coded separately before the CHF diagnosis.