What type of diagnoses should be reported only?

The emphasis in coding is on documenting confirmed diagnoses because they represent the clinician's final determinations based on evaluations, tests, and examinations. Confirmed diagnoses are essential for ensuring accurate medical billing and coding, as they provide a factual basis for the treatment and care provided to the patient.

When a diagnosis is confirmed, it indicates that there has been sufficient evidence gathered to support that conclusion, which is crucial for billing purposes. Insurers and payers often require confirmation to authorize payment for services rendered. Therefore, when coding for services, only confirmed diagnoses should be reported, as they accurately reflect the patient's condition and the rationale behind the medical decision-making.

In contrast, suspected, preliminary, or short-term diagnoses are often considered provisional or working diagnoses. They may not provide enough certainty regarding the patient's actual health status and can lead to billing that lacks the necessary precision and justification for service reimbursement. This distinction underlines the importance of focusing solely on confirmed diagnoses in medical coding.