Let’s review some Alzheimer’s coding on this Alzheimer’s Action Day!
When coding Alzheimer’s, always remember to review documentation to determine if the patient has an additional diagnosis of Dementia. If a patient has both Dementia and Alzheimer’s, you will assign two codes: 331.0 Alzheimer’s and a code from Category 294.1x.
The fifth digit on 294.1x indicates whether or not the patient has behavioral disturbances. If the patient is exhibiting aggressive, combative, or violent behaviors assign code 294.11. If the patient is wandering off, you should also add code V40.31 wandering in conditions classified elsewhere.
Use caution when coding Alzheimer’s as the primary diagnosis in home care. Widespread medical edits are being selected on claims with an Alzheimer’s/Dementia diagnosis as primary beyond 60 days. It is not medically necessary to continue repeated teaching to a patient with this disease. If teaching is directed to a new caregiver than that will suffice.
