Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for Adverse Reaction to Medication(T36.0X5A, T88.6)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Adverse Reaction to Medication. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Drug ReactionMedication Side EffectAdverse Drug Event

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Adverse Reaction to Medication

T36-T50Primary Range

Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of drugs, medicaments and biological substances

This range includes codes for adverse effects, poisonings, and underdosing related to medications.

Dermatitis due to substances taken internally

Used for skin reactions due to internal medication use.

Other complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified

Includes codes for anaphylactic shock and other unspecified adverse reactions.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
T36.0X5AAdverse effect of penicillins, initial encounterUse when a patient experiences an adverse effect from penicillin administered as prescribed.
  • Documented adverse reaction following administration of penicillin
T88.6Anaphylactic shock due to adverse effect of correct drug or medicament properly administeredUse when anaphylactic shock occurs due to a drug administered as prescribed.
  • Clinical documentation of anaphylactic symptoms post-drug administration

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 adverse reaction to medication

Essential facts and insights about Adverse Reaction to Medication

The ICD-10 code for an adverse reaction to medication is typically in the range T36-T50, with a fifth character '5' indicating an adverse effect.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for adverse reaction to medication

Adverse effect of penicillins, initial encounter
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Patient exhibits symptoms consistent with an adverse drug reaction post-administration.

documentation Criteria

  • Clear documentation of drug administration and subsequent reaction.

Applicable To

  • Adverse effect of penicillin

Excludes

  • Poisoning by penicillins (T36.0X1A)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Documented adverse reaction following administration of penicillin

Code-Specific Risks

  • Confusion with poisoning codes if not properly documented

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies the drug was administered correctly.

Ancillary Codes

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

Rash and other nonspecific skin eruption

R21
Use to describe skin manifestations of the adverse reaction.

Localized edema

R60.0
Use to describe swelling associated with anaphylaxis.

Differential Codes

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

Poisoning by penicillins, accidental (unintentional), initial encounter

T36.0X1A
Use for overdose or incorrect administration of penicillin.

Unspecified adverse effect of drug or medicament

T88.7
Use when specific details of the adverse effect are not documented.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Adverse Reaction to Medication to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code T36.0X5A.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment decisions., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims due to insufficient detail.

Mitigation Strategy

Train staff on detailed documentation practices, Use standardized templates for drug reactions

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims or incorrect DRG assignment., Compliance: Misclassification may result in regulatory scrutiny., Data Quality: Impacts the accuracy of patient records and data analytics.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation specifies the drug was taken as prescribed for adverse effects.

Impact

Misclassification can lead to audit findings.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure clear documentation of drug administration and reaction.

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 Adverse Reaction to Medication, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Adverse Reaction to Medication

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Adverse Reaction to Medication. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Emergency Department Note for Anaphylaxis

Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Required Elements

  • Drug name and dose
  • Timing of reaction
  • Symptoms observed
  • Treatment administered

Example Documentation

Patient developed anaphylaxis (BP 80/40, urticaria) within 15min of 325mg aspirin PO for CAD prophylaxis.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Allergy to aspirin
Good Documentation Example
Anaphylaxis (BP 80/40, urticaria) within 15min of 325mg aspirin PO for CAD prophylaxis
Explanation
The good example provides specific symptoms, timing, and drug details.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Adverse Reaction to Medication? Ask your questions below.

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

We build tools for
clinician happiness.

Learn More at Freed.ai
Back to HomeBeta

Built by Freed

Try Freed for free for 7 days.

Learn more