I need input on a specific topic regarding Palliative care coding. I’ve read many articles online and read through forums to try to obtain these answers and I feel that they are all over the place. When coding for Palliative care, I was told that symptoms are coded over definitive conditions, and I’ve also been told to code definitive conditions as well if they are appropriate. I find it hard to distinguish when to do this. Does anyone have a straight answer for me, I want to relay the message to my Palliative providers correctly. For example: provider is documenting that the patient has dyspnea due to COPD exacerbation. Do I code the dyspnea or the COPD exacerbation? I want to code the COPD because it is confirmed, however the provider is concerned with the COPD being used for the same day by another provider. Any input on this topic would be very helpful!

Thank you in advance.