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ICD-10 Coding for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency(K86.81)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

EPIPancreatic Insufficiency

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

K86-K87Primary Range

Diseases of the pancreas

This range includes codes for pancreatic diseases, including exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

Essential facts and insights about Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

The ICD-10 code for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is K86.81, used for confirmed cases with documented symptoms.

Primary ICD-10-CM Code for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of steatorrhea and weight loss unresponsive to dietary changes.

Applicable To

  • EPI due to chronic pancreatitis
  • EPI due to cystic fibrosis

Excludes

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Fecal elastase-1 <200 µg/g stool
  • 72-hour fecal fat >7g/24hr

Code-Specific Risks

  • Failure to document underlying etiology can lead to incorrect coding.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure to document the specific underlying condition causing EPI.

Ancillary Codes

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

Alcohol abuse/dependence

F10.-
Use with K86.0 for alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis.

Differential Codes

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

Celiac disease

K90.0
EPI lacks villous atrophy on biopsy, unlike celiac disease.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code K86.81.

Impact

Clinical: Leads to misdiagnosis., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential loss of reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific terms like 'EPI confirmed by fecal elastase-1 <200 µg/g'.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect DRG assignment can affect reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Always code K86.81 with chronic pancreatitis if EPI is present.

Impact

Missing documentation of underlying conditions.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure all relevant conditions are documented and coded.

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 Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Chronic pancreatitis with EPI

Specialty: Gastroenterology

Required Elements

  • Symptoms: Steatorrhea, weight loss
  • Test results: Fecal elastase-1
  • Treatment: PERT

Example Documentation

Chronic pancreatitis with exocrine insufficiency: fecal elastase-1 150 µg/g, steatorrhea, weight loss of 12 lbs over 3 months.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Pancreatic issues noted.
Good Documentation Example
Chronic pancreatitis with EPI confirmed by fecal elastase-1 <200 µg/g.
Explanation
The good example specifies the condition and confirms with test results.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency? Ask your questions below.

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