Rheumatoid Arthritis

I need some help with a confusion over the proper coding for Rheumatoid Arthritis that has no manifestations. In the ICD-9-CM manual under 714.0 there is a note to "use additional code to identify manifestation as : myopathy (359.6) or polyneuropathy (357.1)"; We are having a discussion at work about weather this means that there has to be one of these two in order to code RA or if it is a case of where it is applicable (if the manifestation exists) code it.

We are confused as we have never had this come up before.

any guidance or advice would be appericated.

__________________

EVELYN KIM , CPC, BSHA

2012 Vice-President San Antonio Chapter

2013 President-elect San Antonio Chapter

Provider Educator

Rheumatoid Arthritis