What is a sequela and how should it be coded?

• A. A residual condition following a prior disease or injury; code residual status if documented.
• B. A new unrelated condition that occurs after discharge.
• C. A temporary symptom with no lasting effect.
• D. A routine follow-up visit code.

Answer: (C)

A sequela is a residual condition that remains after the acute phase of a disease or injury has resolved. When the documentation identifies a sequela or late effect, you code the residual condition to reflect the ongoing impairment caused by the prior illness or trauma. You typically do not code the initial acute event as the sequela unless the chart shows ongoing activity from that first condition; instead, you code the lingering condition described as the sequela.

This is why the correct concept is a residual condition following a prior disease or injury, coded as the sequela when documented. The other descriptions—new unrelated conditions after discharge, temporary symptoms with no lasting effect, or a routine follow-up visit—do not represent a lasting aftereffect and are coded differently.