Question

Should anemia or neoplasm be coded first if anemia is associated with neoplasm but care is directed at anemia?

1) Anemia
2) Neoplasm
3) Cannot be determined
4) Both should be coded together

Answer 1

When coding for anemia associated with neoplasm and the care is focused on the anemia, anemia should be coded first, reflecting the primary reason for the encounter.

Step-by-step explanation:

When coding conditions like anemia and neoplasm, it is important to consider the guidelines provided by the coding system being used, such as the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD). If anemia is associated with the neoplasm, but the care is specifically directed at treating the anemia, then anemia should typically be coded first. This is because the coding should reflect the primary reason for the encounter, which in this case is the treatment of anemia. Both conditions should indeed be coded, but the primary condition that the healthcare provider is addressing at the visit should be listed first.