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ICD-10 Coding for Acute Abdominal Pain(R10.0, R10.11)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Acute Abdominal Pain. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Acute AbdomenSevere Abdominal Pain

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Acute Abdominal Pain

R10.0-R10.9Primary Range

Codes for various types of abdominal pain

This range includes codes for acute abdominal pain and its specific locations.

Diseases of appendix

Includes codes for appendicitis, which is a common cause of acute abdominal pain.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
R10.0Acute abdomenUse when there is sudden-onset severe abdominal pain with peritoneal signs.
  • Rebound tenderness
  • Guarding
  • Rigidity
R10.11Right upper quadrant painUse when pain is specifically localized to the right upper quadrant.
  • Localized tenderness in the right upper quadrant

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for acute abdominal pain

Essential facts and insights about Acute Abdominal Pain

The ICD-10 code for acute abdominal pain is R10.0, used for sudden-onset severe abdominal pain with peritoneal signs.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for acute abd pain

Acute abdomen
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of rebound tenderness and rigidity

Applicable To

  • Sudden onset severe abdominal pain

Excludes

  • Chronic abdominal pain

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Rebound tenderness
  • Guarding
  • Rigidity

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly using for non-acute conditions

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies peritoneal signs to justify R10.0.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Generalized peritonitis

K65.0
Use when peritonitis is present alongside acute abdomen.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Unspecified abdominal pain

R10.9
Use R10.9 when the location or severity of pain is not specified.

Acute cholecystitis

K81.0
Use K81.0 if cholecystitis is confirmed.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Acute Abdominal Pain to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code R10.0.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment., Regulatory: Increases risk of audit and compliance issues., Financial: Potential for reduced reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Train staff on importance of detailed documentation, Use templates to ensure completeness

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to lower reimbursement rates., Compliance: Increases risk of audit due to lack of specificity., Data Quality: Reduces accuracy of clinical data.

Mitigation Strategy

Query for specific location and use appropriate code like R10.11.

Impact

Lack of specificity in documentation can lead to audits.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure detailed documentation of pain characteristics and location.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Acute Abdominal Pain, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Acute Abdominal Pain

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Acute Abdominal Pain. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Emergency Department Visit for Acute Abdominal Pain

Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Required Elements

  • Onset and duration of pain
  • Location and character of pain
  • Associated symptoms
  • Physical exam findings

Example Documentation

Patient presents with sudden-onset severe RLQ pain, rebound tenderness, and elevated WBC.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has belly pain.
Good Documentation Example
Patient presents with acute RLQ pain, rebound tenderness, and elevated WBC.
Explanation
The good example provides specific location and clinical findings supporting acute abdomen.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Acute Abdominal Pain? Ask your questions below.

Ask about any ICD-10 CM code, or paste a medical note

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