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ICD-10 Coding for Human Bite(S41.151A, Y04.1XXA)

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

Also known as:

Bite by HumanHuman Bite Wound

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Human Bite

S00-S99Primary Range

Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes

Covers site-specific injuries resulting from human bites.

Assault by human bite

Used to specify the external cause of the injury as an assault.

Bacterial and viral infectious agents

Used for coding infections resulting from human bites.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
S41.151AOpen bite of right upper arm, initial encounterUse for initial encounters of open bites on the right upper arm.
  • Documentation of open wound on the right upper arm
  • Initial encounter status
Y04.1XXAAssault by human bite, initial encounterUse as a secondary code to specify the external cause of the injury.
  • Confirmation of assault as the cause of the bite

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 human bite

Essential facts and insights about Human Bite

The ICD-10 code for a human bite is Y04.1XXA for assault by human bite, used alongside a site-specific injury code.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for human bite

Open bite of right upper arm, initial encounter
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of an open wound on the right upper arm

coding Criteria

  • Initial encounter for the injury

Applicable To

  • Open bite wound of the right upper arm

Excludes

  • Closed bite wound

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Documentation of open wound on the right upper arm
  • Initial encounter status

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrect sequencing with external cause code

Coding Notes

  • Ensure correct sequencing with the external cause code.

Ancillary Codes

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

Other specified bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

B96.89
Use when specific bacterial infection is confirmed.

Differential Codes

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

Open bite of left upper arm, initial encounter

S41.152A
Use for bites on the left upper arm.

Accidental human bite, initial encounter

W61.XXXA
Use for non-assault bites.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Human Bite to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code S41.151A.

Impact

Clinical: Incomplete clinical picture., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Financial: Potential for claim denial.

Mitigation Strategy

Always include Y04.1XXA for assault-related bites.

Impact

Reimbursement: May result in denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 coding rules., Data Quality: Inaccurate representation of the clinical scenario.

Mitigation Strategy

Always pair with a site-specific injury code.

Impact

Incorrect sequencing of injury and external cause codes.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate coders on proper sequencing rules.

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 Human Bite, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Human Bite

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

Initial encounter for human bite

Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Required Elements

  • Wound description
  • Exposure details
  • Tetanus prophylaxis

Example Documentation

Patient presents with a 3.5 cm semicircular laceration on the left forearm with exposed subcutaneous tissue. Injury occurred during a physical altercation.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Human bite left forearm.
Good Documentation Example
4 cm semilunar laceration with 3.8 cm intercanine distance on volar left forearm, extending through subcutaneous tissue.
Explanation
The good example provides specific details about the wound and context of the injury.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Human Bite? Ask your questions below.

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