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ICD-10 Coding for Alcoholic Pancreatitis(K85.2, K86.0)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Alcoholic Pancreatitis. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Alcohol-induced pancreatitisAlcohol-related pancreatitis

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Alcoholic Pancreatitis

K85-K86Primary Range

Diseases of the pancreas

This range includes codes for both acute and chronic pancreatitis, specifically related to alcohol use.

Mental and behavioral disorders due to use of alcohol

This range includes codes for alcohol use disorders, which are necessary for complete coding of alcoholic pancreatitis.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
K85.2Acute pancreatitis induced by alcoholUse when documenting an acute episode of pancreatitis directly linked to alcohol consumption.
  • Serum lipase >3x upper limit of normal
  • Abdominal pain
  • Imaging showing pancreatic inflammation
K86.0Chronic pancreatitis induced by alcoholUse for chronic cases with documented history of alcohol use and irreversible pancreatic changes.
  • Pancreatic calcifications on imaging
  • Chronic abdominal pain
  • History of prolonged alcohol use

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 alcoholic pancreatitis

Essential facts and insights about Alcoholic Pancreatitis

The ICD-10 code for acute alcoholic pancreatitis is K85.2, and for chronic cases, it is K86.0.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for alcoholic pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis induced by alcohol
Non-billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of acute abdominal pain and elevated lipase levels.

Applicable To

  • Acute necrotizing pancreatitis due to alcohol

Excludes

  • Chronic pancreatitis (K86.0)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Serum lipase >3x upper limit of normal
  • Abdominal pain
  • Imaging showing pancreatic inflammation

Code-Specific Risks

  • Risk of using unspecified codes if alcohol etiology is not documented.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies alcohol as the cause to avoid unspecified coding.

Ancillary Codes

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

Alcohol abuse, uncomplicated

F10.10
Use to specify the alcohol use disorder status.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

K86.81
Use when documenting exocrine insufficiency in chronic pancreatitis.

Differential Codes

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

Acute pancreatitis, unspecified

K85.9
Use K85.9 only if the cause of pancreatitis is not specified.

Other chronic pancreatitis

K86.1
Use K86.1 for chronic pancreatitis not related to alcohol.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Alcoholic Pancreatitis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code K85.2.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment plans., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for reduced reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Standardize alcohol use documentation in patient records.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to lower reimbursement rates., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of clinical data.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation specifies alcohol as the cause.

Impact

Inadequate documentation of alcohol use can lead to audit findings.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement standardized documentation templates for alcohol use.

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 Alcoholic Pancreatitis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Alcoholic Pancreatitis

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Alcoholic Pancreatitis. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Acute Alcoholic Pancreatitis

Specialty: Gastroenterology

Required Elements

  • Patient history of alcohol use
  • Clinical presentation
  • Imaging and lab results

Example Documentation

Patient presents with acute abdominal pain and elevated lipase levels. Reports consuming 10 beers daily for 5 years. CT shows pancreatic inflammation.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has pancreatitis.
Good Documentation Example
Patient has acute pancreatitis due to alcohol use, consuming 10 beers daily.
Explanation
The good example specifies the cause and quantifies alcohol use.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Alcoholic Pancreatitis? Ask your questions below.

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