Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for Fussy Infant(R68.12)

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

Also known as:

Irritable InfantCrying Baby

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Fussy Infant

R68.1-R68.13Primary Range

Nonspecific symptoms peculiar to infancy

This range includes codes for symptoms like fussiness, excessive crying, and apparent life-threatening events in infants.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for fussy infant

Essential facts and insights about Fussy Infant

The ICD-10 code for a fussy infant is R68.12, used when no specific diagnosis is identified and the infant is under 1 year old.

Primary ICD-10-CM Code for fussy

Fussy infant (baby)
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • No fever, normal exam, no signs of infection

coding Criteria

  • Infant under 1 year with unexplained fussiness

documentation Criteria

  • Detailed history and negative findings documented

Applicable To

  • Unexplained fussiness in infants

Excludes

  • Colic (R10.83)
  • Specific diagnoses explaining fussiness

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • No organic cause found after assessment
  • Documented negative workup

Code-Specific Risks

  • Using R68.12 when a specific diagnosis is present
  • Applying to children older than 12 months

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies no identifiable cause after assessment.

Ancillary Codes

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

Parental concern

Z71.1
Use when fussiness prompts a visit but no pathology is found.

Differential Codes

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

Colic

R10.83
Use R10.83 if colic is confirmed by the provider.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Fussy Infant to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code R68.12.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential for claim denials due to lack of detail.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure detailed history and physical examination are documented., Include all relevant negative findings.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect age-related coding can lead to claim denials., Compliance: Non-compliance with age-specific coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate data on infant conditions.

Mitigation Strategy

Use R45.81 for restlessness in children over 12 months.

Impact

Incorrect use of R68.12 for children over 1 year.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement age verification checks in coding workflows.

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 Fussy Infant, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Fussy Infant

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

Routine pediatric visit with fussiness

Specialty: Pediatrics

Required Elements

  • History of present illness
  • Physical examination findings
  • Assessment and plan

Example Documentation

6-week-old male with paroxysmal fussiness ×2 weeks, occurring 2-3 hrs/day post-feeding. Parents report successful burping reduces symptoms. No vomiting, fever, or rash.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Infant crying a lot. Mom worried.
Good Documentation Example
HPI: 6-week-old male with paroxysmal fussiness ×2 weeks, occurring 2-3 hrs/day post-feeding. Parents report successful burping reduces symptoms. No vomiting, fever, or rash.
Explanation
The good example provides specific details about the duration, associated symptoms, and parental interventions.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Fussy Infant? 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