What Does The 7th Character Mean In ICD-10?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The seventh character S

identifies the injury responsible for the sequela

. The specific type of sequela (i.e. scar) is sequenced first, followed by the injury code.

When do you use 7th character?

The character A, when mandated in the seventh position, is to be used

as long as the patient is receiving active care for the condition

. The key word is active, and A should be used regardless of provider as long as the patient is receiving active treatment (medical or surgical) for the condition.

What does the 7th character a indicate?

If the patient required admission to an acute-care hospital, the seventh character would be reported for

the entire acute-care hospital stay

because “A” is used for the entire period when the patient receives active treatment.

What are the seventh characters used for encounter types and what do they indicate?

  • A, Initial encounter.
  • D, Subsequent encounter.
  • S, Sequela.

What is the 7th character referred to as in ICD 10 PCS?

The seventh character is

a qualifier

that may have a specific meaning for a limited range of values. For example, the qualifier can be used to identify the destination site of the root operation Bypass.

What are the frequently used 7th character?

The most common 7th characters are

A, D, and S

. As a therapist, you almost always provide care during the healing or recovery phase of an injury and will therefore use the D character. More specifically, the following is an explanation of when each character is used.

What is the 7th character extensions commonly used?

Generally, the following three options are available as 7th character extensions:

A, initial encounter

.

D, subsequent encounter

.

S, sequela

(complications or conditions resulting from an injury)

What does the 7th character a indicate in Chapter 19?

Most categories in chapter 19 have a 7th character requirement for each applicable code. The traumatic fracture categories have additional 7th character values. The 7th character “A” is

the initial encounter

and is used while the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition.

How do you code a burn?

Burns from a heat source are classified by depth (first, second, third, unspecified), extent, and agent. For multiple burns, sequence the highest degree burn first. Multiple burns of the same three-character category are coded to the highest degree. Non-healing burns are coded as acute burns.

What letter is considered a placeholder character in ICD-10-CM?

ICD-10-CM uses

“X”

as a placeholder character in certain codes to allow for future expansion (e.g., poisoning, adverse effect and underdosing codes, categories T36-T50). Where a placeholder exists, the X must be used for the code to be considered valid.

Can sequela codes be primary?

According to the ICD-10-CM Manual guidelines, a sequela

(7th character “S”) code cannot be listed as the primary

, first listed, or principal diagnosis on a claim, nor can it be the only diagnosis on a claim.

Is acute or chronic coded first?


The chronic diagnosis is coded first

and the acute diagnosis is coded 2nd.

When do you code sequela?

Under injury reporting, 7th character “S,” sequela “is

for use for complications or conditions that arise as a direct result of a condition

, such as scar formation after a burn. The scars are sequelae of the burn.

What are ICD-10 procedure codes used for?

ICD-10-PCS is intended for use by

health care professionals, health care organizations, and insurance programs

. ICD-10-PCS codes are used in a variety of clinical and health care applications for reporting, morbidity statistics, and billing.

What is a qualifier in coding?

Page 1. ICD-10-PCS Coding Tip. Character 7: Qualifier. The seventh character (qualifier) defines a

qualifier for the procedure code

. A qualifier provides specificity regarding an additional attribute of the procedure, if applicable.

What are the goals of ICD-10-PCS?

The purpose of ICD-10-PCS is to

provide a procedure coding system to be used to collect data, determine payment, and support the electronic health for inpatient procedures performed in the US

.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.