A patient's diagnosis is defined as the condition of the patient at the time a charge is recorded. Diagnosis codes are almost always required on any mailed or electronicaly transmittted insurance claims so it is important that you understand how to add them to the patient's file.

Diagnoses are caregorized according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases system (most commonly referred to by the abbraviation ICD) compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These codes are used to classify a wide array of deseases, complaints, causes of injury etc.

As part of creating a patient's file, you need to enter the diagnosis/condition using the ICD-9 code number.** There is space for up to four (4) diagnoses in priority order (primary, secondary condition, etc.) per patient on the CMS-1500 claim form, although you can enter as many as you wish. To add/edit/delete diagnoses to the patient's information, follow the step's below.

To add a diagnosis: 1.      From the patient's file, click on the DIAGNOSIS tab. 2.      Click the ADD button.  3.   The Diagnosis list will appear. Highlight the desired diagnosis and double click to add it to the patient's file. 4.      IIf you do not see the desired diagnosis in the list, click the "ADD" button inside the diagnosis codes list. You may either manually type in the ICD-9 code and description, or chose one from the master list if you are using the deluxe or professional version (standard version does not include a master list). For more information on adding items into your diagnosis codes list, click here.      To delete a diagnosis:   1. From the DIAGNOSIS tab, highlight the erronious diagnosis and click "DELETE". If a diagnosis is already linked to a charge, you must delete the charge before you can delete the diagnosis   To edit a diagnosis:   1. From the DIAGNOSIS tab, highlight the diagnosis and click "EDIT".     **Note: Remember, that you can also add diagnosis from the charge entry screen. Diagnosis that you use when posting charges will automatically appear on the diagnosis tab.     Important: If you have your charge entry preferences configured to "always assign the patient's current diagnosises to each service", it is important that you use the checkbox to dismiss all diagnosis besides the most current four. If you do not, the software will simply link the patient's top four diagnosis to the charges that you post.