I5700: Anxiety Disorder, Step-by-Step

Step-by-Step Coding Guide for Item Set I5700: Anxiety Disorder

1. Review of Medical Records

The initial step in coding for item I5700, Anxiety Disorder, involves a thorough review of the resident’s medical records. This includes:

• Physician’s Notes: Examine progress notes, history, and physical examination records.
• Diagnosis Lists: Verify the diagnosis/problem list for documented anxiety disorders confirmed by the physician.
• Discharge Summaries and Transfer Documents: Review summaries from hospital discharges or transfers to the current care setting.
• Interdisciplinary Notes: Check notes from nursing, dietary, rehabilitation, and other care team members.

2. Understanding Definitions

It is essential to understand the key definitions related to anxiety disorders:

• Anxiety Disorder: A mental health condition characterized by feelings of worry, anxiety, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one's daily activities.
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life.
  • Panic Disorder: Recurrent unexpected panic attacks.
  • Social Anxiety Disorder: Intense fear of social situations.

3. Coding Instructions

Follow these steps for accurate coding:

1. Identify Diagnoses: Confirm that the anxiety disorder diagnoses have been documented by a physician or other authorized healthcare provider within the last 60 days.
2. Determine Activity: Establish whether the diagnoses are active, meaning they affect the resident's current care or require monitoring during the 7-day look-back period.
3. Enter ICD Codes: Document the ICD-10 code for each active anxiety disorder in the I5700 section, ensuring proper alignment and format in the MDS form.

4. Coding Tips

• Specific Documentation: Look for specific mentions in the medical record that indicate an anxiety disorder is active. This includes recent treatment changes, symptoms, or monitoring requirements.
• Therapeutic Monitoring: Medications prescribed to manage anxiety that require monitoring should be considered as indicative of an active diagnosis.
• Avoid Ambiguities: Ensure that the diagnosis is not just listed in the problem list but is actively managed and documented within the look-back period.

5. Documentation

Accurate documentation is critical for compliance and effective care planning:

• Daily Records: Maintain thorough daily records of the resident’s condition and any changes.
• Care Plans: Update care plans to reflect active diagnoses and corresponding interventions.
• Interdisciplinary Communication: Ensure all team members are informed of and document any active anxiety disorders and their impact on care.

6. Common Errors to Avoid

• Inconsistent Documentation: Avoid discrepancies between the MDS data and other medical records.
• Outdated Diagnoses: Do not code diagnoses that are no longer active or relevant to the resident’s current care.
• Incorrect ICD Codes: Ensure ICD codes are accurate and properly aligned in the MDS form.

7. Practical Application

Use case studies and scenarios to apply your knowledge:

• Example 1: A resident with Generalized Anxiety Disorder controlled by medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Regular monitoring of symptoms and medication effectiveness is necessary, thus making GAD an active diagnosis.
  • Coding: Enter the ICD-10 code for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in the I5700 section.
• Example 2: A resident experiencing frequent panic attacks requiring immediate intervention and ongoing psychotherapy.
  • Coding: Enter the ICD-10 code for Panic Disorder in the I5700 section.

Please note that the information provided in this guide for MDS 3.0 Item set I5700 was originally based on the CMS's RAI Version 3.0 Manual, October 2023 edition. Every effort will be made to update it to the most current version. The MDS 3.0 Manual is typically updated every October. If there are no changes to the Item Set, there will be no changes to this guide. This guidance is intended to assist healthcare professionals, particularly new nurses or MDS coordinators, in understanding and applying the correct coding procedures for this specific item within MDS 3.0. 

The guide is not a substitute for professional judgment or the facility’s policies. It is crucial to stay updated with any changes or updates in the MDS 3.0 manual or relevant CMS regulations. The guide does not cover all potential scenarios and should not be used as a sole resource for MDS 3.0 coding. 

Additionally, this guide refrains from handling personal patient data and does not provide medical or legal advice. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective practices.