Hi Colette,

Thank you for your response and for acknowledging how tough this information is…and can be…to deal with in the EI arena!

According to Kelly Hill, you may want to list multiple ICD-9 codes if the client has multiple diagnoses. Some diagnoses can stand alone (including Cleft palate, Swallowing disorder, Cerebral Palsy) when the diagnosis itself relates directly to the intervention/target.

In response to your specific question, in addition to the primary diagnoses, you will often also want to provide a diagnosis code for what you are treating specifically within your area of expertise (i.e. the aspect that you, the provider, are targeting). In this case, you will list your primary diagnosis first (e.g. Cleft palate, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Encephalopathy). You will THEN list what aspect of that condition you are treating or targeting (e.g. weakness, disorganization, motor planning).

Always be sure that your documentation clearly links the diagnosis you are treating with your intervention and the family’s outcomes!

I hope that information is helpful. Thanks again for your feedback and your question, Colette!