JustCoding’s Emergency Department Coding Handbook (PDF)

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