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ICD-10 Coding for Avascular Necrosis of Hip(M87.851, M87.852, M87.859)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Avascular Necrosis of Hip. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Osteonecrosis of HipAseptic Necrosis of HipIschemic Necrosis of Hip

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Avascular Necrosis of Hip

M87.85-Primary Range

Osteonecrosis of femur

This range includes codes specific to avascular necrosis of the femoral head, with laterality specified.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
M87.851Osteonecrosis of right femurUse when avascular necrosis is confirmed in the right femoral head with documented laterality.
  • MRI findings showing subchondral collapse
  • History of corticosteroid use or alcohol abuse
M87.852Osteonecrosis of left femurUse when avascular necrosis is confirmed in the left femoral head with documented laterality.
  • MRI findings showing subchondral collapse
  • History of corticosteroid use or alcohol abuse
M87.859Osteonecrosis of unspecified femurUse when avascular necrosis is confirmed but laterality cannot be determined.
  • MRI findings showing subchondral collapse
  • History of corticosteroid use or alcohol abuse

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 avascular necrosis of hip

Essential facts and insights about Avascular Necrosis of Hip

The ICD-10 codes for avascular necrosis of the hip are M87.851 for the right femur, M87.852 for the left femur, and M87.859 for unspecified femur.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for avascular necrosis of hip

Osteonecrosis of right femur
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • MRI confirmation of AVN in the right femoral head

Applicable To

  • Avascular necrosis of right femoral head

Excludes

  • Osteoarthritis of right hip (M16.9)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • MRI findings showing subchondral collapse
  • History of corticosteroid use or alcohol abuse

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrect laterality documentation can lead to coding errors.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure laterality is documented to avoid unspecified codes.

Ancillary Codes

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

Long-term (current) use of steroids

Z79.51
Use if AVN is due to prolonged corticosteroid therapy.

Alcohol use disorder

Z72.0
Use if alcohol abuse is a contributing factor to AVN.

Differential Codes

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

Osteoarthritis of hip, unspecified

M16.9
Use only if osteoarthritis is secondary to AVN and both conditions are documented.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Avascular Necrosis of Hip to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code M87.851.

Impact

Clinical: May affect treatment decisions., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims.

Mitigation Strategy

Always include etiology in patient history., Use templates to ensure comprehensive documentation.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to reduced reimbursement due to unspecified coding., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding standards., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of clinical data.

Mitigation Strategy

Always document and code the specific side affected by AVN.

Impact

Failure to document laterality can lead to audit findings.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement mandatory fields in EHR for laterality.

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 Avascular Necrosis of Hip, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Avascular Necrosis of Hip

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Avascular Necrosis of Hip. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Orthopedic Evaluation for AVN

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • Patient history of corticosteroid use or alcohol abuse
  • MRI findings with specific laterality
  • Stage of AVN using ARCO/Ficat classification

Example Documentation

Patient presents with right hip pain. MRI shows subchondral collapse in right femoral head, consistent with Stage III AVN. History of prolonged corticosteroid use.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has hip pain, AVN suspected.
Good Documentation Example
Right hip pain with MRI-confirmed AVN (Ficat Stage II) secondary to alcohol use disorder.
Explanation
The good example specifies laterality, stage, and etiology, which are critical for accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Avascular Necrosis of Hip? Ask your questions below.

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