ICD CVA coding

[jessicat35]

Does anyone know how long you can code a CVA as current vs healed/history. I know MIs are supposed to be 8 weeks and didn't know if there are any rules or guidelines pertaining to strokes. Thanks

 

[crank]

For CVA, the default code is 434.91. We can't say the duration exactly. It can be coded as often as treated.

 

[Alicia Scott]

Yes, Crank is correct but you want to also make sure it does not matter for the type of coding you are doing. In the HCC coding I do on the side I am not allowed to code the CVA unless they are being treated at that moment. That would include ER visit and the admission. Once they leave it is no longer a CVA. Now I see it all the time on the medical records. With EMR guidelines now you have a current dx list, past medical list, active problem list.....and all kinds of other terms. A CVA will be listed but of course it is not current. If a person has an active CVA you know it. Once they leave that encounter they no longer have a CVA.

Maybe we should put this in the Q&A webinar and I will give more examples.

 

[jessicat35]

Thanks! I am an OP coder at a hospital doing mostly labs so most often I come across a patient who "had" a CVA and is now on Coumadin therapy because of it.

 

[Lori Woods]

That was how I understood it Alicia but that you could code from category438-late effects of cerebrovascular disease-when a patient is admitted at a later date with residual effects of a CVA that have bearing on the current episode of care. Would that still be appropriate if they are still taking meds for it though? That is where I got confused.