Did you know? Physician queries are not meant to second guess or question the provider’s clinical judgement.
Physician queries have only two purposes:
1. Capture in the medical record clinical conditions that exist which have yet to be mentioned.
-You are already treating and/or thinking about the condition that is the subject of the query. You simply haven’t documented it yet!
2. Needed clarification for proper final coding of a record
-The ICD coding system is complicated and not nearly as black-and-white as we would all like. There is a specific reason they are asking you that particular question.
Please take the time to review the pertinent records and fully consider your answers when help is requested by your CDI and coding specialists. They are here to help you!
If you do not understand a query, they would love to talk to you about it. Call them!
Download the complete tip, Physician Queries.