Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for Late Effect of Costovertebral Angle Injury(S23.3xxS, M54.51)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Late Effect of Costovertebral Angle Injury. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Sequela of Costovertebral InjuryChronic Costovertebral Pain

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Late Effect of Costovertebral Angle Injury

S23.3xxPrimary Range

Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax

This range includes codes for dislocations and sprains of the costovertebral joints, which can have late effects.

Low back pain

This range includes codes for chronic pain conditions that may result from costovertebral injuries.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
S23.3xxSSequela of dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thoraxUse when documenting chronic conditions resulting from a past costovertebral dislocation.
  • Documented history of costovertebral dislocation
  • Persistent pain or functional impairment
M54.51Vertebrogenic low back painUse for chronic back pain related to vertebral issues, including costovertebral sequelae.
  • Chronic pain assessment
  • Link to vertebral pathology

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 late effect of costovertebral angle injury

Essential facts and insights about Late Effect of Costovertebral Angle Injury

The ICD-10 code for the late effect of a costovertebral angle injury is S23.3xxS, used for sequelae of dislocations and sprains in the thoracic region.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for late effect costovertebral angle

Sequela of dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of chronic pain linked to past dislocation

documentation Criteria

  • Clear documentation of the original injury and its sequela

Applicable To

  • Chronic pain due to past costovertebral dislocation

Excludes

  • Acute dislocation of costovertebral joint

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Documented history of costovertebral dislocation
  • Persistent pain or functional impairment

Code-Specific Risks

  • Confusion with acute dislocation codes

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation clearly links the chronic condition to the past injury.

Ancillary Codes

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

Vertebrogenic low back pain

M54.51
Use to specify the type of chronic pain resulting from the injury.

Differential Codes

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

Initial encounter for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax

S23.3xxA
Use for acute dislocations, not sequelae.

Low back pain

M54.5
Use for unspecified low back pain not linked to vertebral pathology.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Late Effect of Costovertebral Angle Injury to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code S23.3xxS.

Impact

Clinical: Inaccurate treatment planning, Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards, Financial: Denied claims due to insufficient documentation

Mitigation Strategy

Always include injury history in the patient's record, Use templates to ensure comprehensive documentation

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure the use of sequela codes for chronic conditions resulting from past injuries.

Impact

Risk of using acute codes for chronic conditions.

Mitigation Strategy

Regular training on sequela coding and 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 Late Effect of Costovertebral Angle Injury, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Late Effect of Costovertebral Angle Injury

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Late Effect of Costovertebral Angle Injury. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Chronic pain following costovertebral dislocation

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • History of the original injury
  • Current pain assessment
  • Functional limitations

Example Documentation

Patient presents with chronic pain at the T8-T9 costovertebral junction, originally injured in a 2019 MVC. Pain persists despite conservative management.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has back pain.
Good Documentation Example
Patient has chronic pain at T8-T9 costovertebral junction due to 2019 MVC dislocation.
Explanation
The good example specifies the chronic nature and origin of the pain.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Late Effect of Costovertebral Angle Injury? 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