JustCoding's Emergency Department Coding Handbook

This handbook is a quick reference guide for coders in emergency department (ED) settings. It guides coders through assigning visit levels and documentation requirements for a variety of common ED services. The handbook also includes anatomical illustrations for fractures.

Table of Contents:

Evaluation and Management

Type A ED visit levels
Type B ED visit levels

Integumentary System

Anatomy of skin
Incision and drainage
Debridement
Repair
- Simple
- Intermediate
- Complex
Burns, local treatment

Musculoskeletal System

Introduction or removal
- Removal of foreign body
- Injection (tendons, muscles, trigger point)
- Arthrocentesis

Fracture and/or dislocation anatomy and coding

- Definitions of common types and terms
- Skull
- Neck (soft tissues) and thorax
- Shoulder
- Humerus (upper arm) and elbow
- Forearm and wrist
- Hand and fingers
- Pelvic and hip joint
- Femur (thigh region) and knee joint
- Lower leg and ankle joint
- Foot and toes

Application of casts and strapping

Respiratory System

Nose

- Removal of foreign body