All PlansDocumentationMedium impact
Coding Corner: Provide clear, accurate documentation for alcohol use disorder
BCBS Michigan·MI · Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry +1 more·Coding
We identified it
Jun 16, 2026
Summary
BCBS Michigan issued new documentation guidelines for alcohol use disorder coding, requiring providers to use specific diagnostic terms (alcohol use, abuse, dependence) with clear status indicators (continuous, episodic, remission) rather than vague behavioral descriptions. Social history alone cannot support diagnosis coding without formal diagnostic documentation.
Action Required
Immediately: Providers must update documentation practices for alcohol use disorder to include specific diagnostic terms (alcohol use, abuse, dependence) with current status (continuous, episodic, in remission). Update EMR templates to prompt for formal diagnosis rather than behavioral descriptions. Train clinical staff to distinguish between social history documentation and billable diagnoses to ensure accurate code assignment.