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ICD-10 Coding for Lacunar Infarction and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness(I63.81, R10.819)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Lacunar Infarction and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Lacunar StrokeCVA Tenderness

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Lacunar Infarction and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness

I60-I69Primary Range

Cerebrovascular diseases

Includes codes for various types of strokes, including lacunar infarction.

Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen

Includes codes for abdominal and flank pain, such as CVA tenderness.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
I63.81Other cerebral infarction due to occlusion or stenosis of small arteryUse when imaging confirms a lacunar infarct and risk factors for small vessel disease are documented.
  • MRI or CT showing <3cm subcortical infarct
  • Documentation of small artery disease risk factors
R10.819Abdominal tenderness, unspecified siteUse when CVA tenderness is noted without a definitive diagnosis.
  • Physical exam showing CVA tenderness
  • Supporting labs or imaging for kidney issues

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 lacunar infarction

Essential facts and insights about Lacunar Infarction and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness

The ICD-10 code for lacunar infarction is I63.81, used for cerebral infarction due to small artery occlusion.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for lacunar costovertebral angle

Other cerebral infarction due to occlusion or stenosis of small artery
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • MRI confirmation of lacunar infarct

Applicable To

  • Lacunar infarction

Excludes

  • Cerebral infarction due to embolism (I63.4-)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • MRI or CT showing <3cm subcortical infarct
  • Documentation of small artery disease risk factors

Code-Specific Risks

  • Confusion with other types of strokes if 'lacunar' is not specified.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure 'lacunar' is specified in the documentation to avoid miscoding.

Ancillary Codes

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

Essential (primary) hypertension

I10
Use to document hypertension as a risk factor for lacunar infarction.

Acute pyelonephritis

N10
Use when pyelonephritis is confirmed as the cause of CVA tenderness.

Differential Codes

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

Cerebral infarction, unspecified

I63.9
Use when the type of infarction is not specified or known.

Unspecified abdominal pain

R10.9
Use when the location of tenderness is not specified.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Lacunar Infarction and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code I63.81.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment focus., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding specificity requirements., Financial: Potential for claim denials due to lack of specificity.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation specifies CVA tenderness, Link symptoms to potential renal causes

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims., Compliance: Misinterpretation of clinical context violates coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate data on patient conditions and treatments.

Mitigation Strategy

Clarify context in documentation to distinguish between cerebrovascular accident and costovertebral angle tenderness.

Impact

Misclassification of stroke types due to vague documentation.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate providers on the importance of specifying stroke types in documentation.

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 Lacunar Infarction and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Lacunar Infarction and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Lacunar Infarction and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Lacunar Infarction Diagnosis

Specialty: Neurology

Required Elements

  • Imaging results
  • Risk factor history
  • NIHSS score

Example Documentation

MRI shows 1.2cm lacunar infarct in left internal capsule. Patient has hypertension (BP 168/92).

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Small stroke noted on imaging.
Good Documentation Example
MRI demonstrates 8mm lacunar infarct in left basal ganglia. Patient with 15-year history of uncontrolled hypertension.
Explanation
The good example specifies the type of infarct and includes relevant patient history.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Lacunar Infarction and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness? Ask your questions below.

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