When coding for a patient with both acute and chronic conditions, how should these be sequenced?

When coding for a patient who has both acute and chronic conditions, the acute condition should be sequenced first. This is because the acute condition is often what brought the patient into care and is typically more pressing in terms of immediate treatment and intervention. In medical coding, the priority is given to the condition that requires the most current and immediate attention, which aligns with how healthcare providers manage patient care.

Chronic conditions, while important, are usually stable and managed over a longer period of time. They do not usually require the same level of immediate treatment as acute conditions. Therefore, by coding the acute condition first, it reflects the current state of the patient’s health more accurately and ensures appropriate representation for the providers in billing and reporting. This sequencing also adheres to coding guidelines that dictate the order of conditions based on their urgency and treatment implications.