Q&A: Coding for intractable pain with a fracture

August 7, 2012

QUESTION: A patient complained of intractable pain from compression fracture (sustained the day prior to admission). The guidelines state if pain is not documented as acute or chronic, don't assign codes from the 338 category.

Should we query the physician if the pain was acute or chronic rather than just using the fracture code if it appears that pain control was the main reason for the visit?

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