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ICD-10 Coding for Glaucoma Suspect(H40.011, H40.021)

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

Also known as:

Ocular HypertensionPre-glaucoma

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Glaucoma Suspect

H40.0Primary Range

Glaucoma suspect

This range includes all codes related to glaucoma suspect, differentiated by risk factors, angle status, and laterality.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
H40.011Open-angle glaucoma suspect, low risk, right eyeUse when the patient has open angles and ≤2 risk factors for glaucoma in the right eye.
  • Open angles on gonioscopy
  • ≤2 risk factors documented
H40.021Open-angle glaucoma suspect, high risk, right eyeUse when the patient has open angles and ≥3 risk factors for glaucoma in the right eye.
  • Open angles on gonioscopy
  • ≥3 risk factors documented

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 glaucoma suspect

Essential facts and insights about Glaucoma Suspect

The ICD-10 code for glaucoma suspect depends on risk factors and laterality, such as H40.011 for low-risk open-angle suspect in the right eye.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for glaucoma suspect

Open-angle glaucoma suspect, low risk, right eye
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Open angles confirmed by gonioscopy

documentation Criteria

  • Document ≤2 risk factors

Applicable To

  • Low-risk open-angle glaucoma suspect with ≤2 risk factors

Excludes

  • High-risk open-angle glaucoma suspect

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Open angles on gonioscopy
  • ≤2 risk factors documented

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding as high risk without sufficient risk factors

Coding Notes

  • Ensure risk factors are clearly documented to support low-risk classification.

Ancillary Codes

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

Visual field examination

92083
Use to document visual field testing results.

OCT of the optic nerve

92133
Use to document optic nerve imaging results.

Differential Codes

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

Open-angle glaucoma suspect, high risk, right eye

H40.021
Use when ≥3 risk factors are present.

Open-angle glaucoma suspect, low risk, right eye

H40.011
Use when ≤2 risk factors are present.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Glaucoma Suspect to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code H40.011.

Impact

Clinical: Inadequate clinical information for decision-making, Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards, Financial: Potential claim denials due to insufficient documentation

Mitigation Strategy

Always include specific IOP measurements, Document the method of IOP measurement

Impact

Reimbursement: Claims may be denied due to non-billable codes, Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines, Data Quality: Inaccurate data representation in patient records

Mitigation Strategy

Specify risk level and laterality to use a billable code

Impact

Inadequate documentation of risk factors can lead to audit issues

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure all risk factors are explicitly documented in the patient record

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 Glaucoma Suspect, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Glaucoma Suspect

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

Ophthalmology Progress Note for Glaucoma Suspect

Specialty: Ophthalmology

Required Elements

  • Chief complaint
  • Subjective findings
  • Objective findings
  • Assessment
  • Plan

Example Documentation

Chief Complaint: Routine glaucoma monitoring. Subjective: No visual complaints. Objective: VA 20/20 OU, IOP 22mmHg OD, 24mmHg OS. Assessment: Open-angle glaucoma suspect, high risk OD. Plan: Continue monitoring.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Glaucoma suspect, follow up in 6mo
Good Documentation Example
Open-angle suspect, high risk OD: IOP 25mmHg, vertical CDR 0.7, RNFL thinning inferotemporally on OCT, 3 risk factors (African American, DM, FHx)
Explanation
The good example provides specific clinical findings and risk factors, supporting the high-risk classification.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Glaucoma Suspect? Ask your questions below.

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