Jan

05

Coding oxygen therapy

By HIM Connection

Q: I am looking for information about when to code oxygen therapy. For example, can I code it when a patient is admitted with acute bronchitis with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder? Also, should I routinely report physical and occupational therapy codes on inpatient records? 

A: If your facility would like to collect data regarding oxygen therapy, it would be appropriate to code it. If your facility has a rehabilitation unit, it would be appropriate to report the physical and occupational therapy service codes. This would help show the intensity of service.

Editor’s note: Sandy Sillman, RHIT, PAHM, DRG coordinator at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, answered this question that appeared in the December issue of Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies. For more information, click here.