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Q&A: Coding for transplant complications

Q: I have a question about coding transplant complications. My understanding is if the complication affects the transplanted organ, then coders should assign a code for the transplant complication itself. Is this correct?

Consider the following physician documentation: Final A/P: Acute renal failure in patient with history of renal transplant. Should coders report 996.81 (complications of transplanted kidney) and 584.9 (acute kidney failure, unspecified)?
 
Also consider this documentation: CHF in heart transplant patient. Should coders report 996.83 (complications of transplanted heart) and 428.0 (CHF, unspecified)?

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