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ICD-10 Coding for Hypotonia(P94.2, R27.8)

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

Also known as:

Floppy Baby SyndromeDecreased Muscle Tone

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Hypotonia

P94.2Primary Range

Congenital hypotonia

Used for cases of hypotonia present at birth, often associated with low Apgar scores and specific neonatal physical findings.

Other lack of coordination

Used for acquired hypotonia due to non-congenital causes such as trauma or metabolic disorders.

Cerebral palsy, unspecified

Used when hypotonia is a symptom of cerebral palsy, requiring coding of the primary condition first.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
P94.2Congenital hypotoniaUse for neonates with hypotonia present at birth, confirmed by clinical examination and low Apgar scores.
  • Low Apgar scores
  • Frog-leg posture
  • Weak suck reflex
R27.8Other lack of coordinationUse for hypotonia acquired after birth due to specific causes.
  • Documented trauma or metabolic cause
  • Onset after neonatal period

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 congenital hypotonia

Essential facts and insights about Hypotonia

The ICD-10 code for congenital hypotonia is P94.2, applicable to cases present at birth.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for hypotonia

Congenital hypotonia
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of hypotonia at birth with supporting neonatal findings.

Applicable To

  • Floppy infant syndrome

Excludes

  • Acquired hypotonia

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Low Apgar scores
  • Frog-leg posture
  • Weak suck reflex

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification if not confirmed by neonatal history and examination.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation includes specific neonatal findings and history.

Ancillary Codes

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

Global developmental delay

R41.840
Use when developmental delays accompany hypotonia.

Muscle weakness (generalized)

M62.81
Use when muscle weakness is a significant feature.

Differential Codes

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

Other lack of coordination

R27.8
Used for acquired hypotonia not present at birth.

Congenital hypotonia

P94.2
Distinguished by onset at birth.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Hypotonia to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code P94.2.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to misdiagnosis., Regulatory: Increases risk of audit., Financial: Potential for denied claims.

Mitigation Strategy

Always document onset and context of hypotonia.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to reduced reimbursement due to lack of specificity., Compliance: Increases risk of audit and non-compliance., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of patient records.

Mitigation Strategy

Always specify whether hypotonia is congenital or acquired.

Impact

High risk of audit when unspecified codes are used for hypotonia.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure all documentation specifies whether hypotonia is congenital or acquired.

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

Documentation Templates for Hypotonia

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

Neonatal hypotonia assessment

Specialty: Pediatrics

Required Elements

  • Prenatal history
  • Apgar scores
  • Physical exam findings

Example Documentation

Neonate with Apgar 5/7, exhibits frog-leg posture and weak suck reflex.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Baby seems floppy.
Good Documentation Example
Neonate exhibits frog-leg posture, head lag >90° on pull-to-sit, and poor traction response.
Explanation
The good example provides specific clinical findings supporting the diagnosis.

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

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