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ICD-10 Coding for Left Eye Conjunctivitis(H10.12, H10.022)

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

Also known as:

Left Eye Pink EyeLeft Eye Red Eye

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Left Eye Conjunctivitis

H10.0-H10.9Primary Range

Conjunctivitis

This range includes all types of conjunctivitis, specifying laterality and type.

Viral Conjunctivitis

This range is used when conjunctivitis is confirmed to be viral in nature.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
H10.12Acute atopic conjunctivitis, left eyeUse when the patient presents with acute allergic symptoms affecting the left eye.
  • Presence of papillae
  • Watery discharge
  • History of allergies
H10.022Other mucopurulent conjunctivitis, left eyeUse when bacterial infection is confirmed with purulent discharge.
  • Purulent discharge
  • Positive gram stain for bacteria

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 left eye conjunctivitis

Essential facts and insights about Left Eye Conjunctivitis

The ICD-10 code for acute atopic conjunctivitis of the left eye is H10.12, while other mucopurulent conjunctivitis is coded as H10.022.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for left eye conjunctivitis

Acute atopic conjunctivitis, left eye
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of papillae and watery discharge

documentation Criteria

  • Documented history of allergies

Applicable To

  • Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis of the left eye

Excludes

  • Chronic allergic conjunctivitis (H10.45)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Presence of papillae
  • Watery discharge
  • History of allergies

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification if laterality or type is not documented

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies 'acute' and 'atopic' with laterality.

Ancillary Codes

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

Allergy to pollen

Z91.013
Use when there is a documented allergy to pollen contributing to conjunctivitis.

Differential Codes

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

Unspecified acute conjunctivitis, left eye

H10.32
Use when the etiology of conjunctivitis is not specified.

Viral conjunctivitis, unspecified

B30.9
Use when viral etiology is confirmed but specific virus is not identified.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Left Eye Conjunctivitis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code H10.12.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to incorrect treatment, Regulatory: Increases audit risk, Financial: Potential for denied claims

Mitigation Strategy

Always note the type of discharge in the exam findings.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to lower reimbursement rates, Compliance: Increases risk of audit due to lack of specificity, Data Quality: Reduces accuracy of clinical data

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation supports the specific type of conjunctivitis before coding.

Impact

High risk of audit if unspecified codes are used when specific information is available.

Mitigation Strategy

Train staff to document specific details like laterality and discharge type.

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 Left Eye Conjunctivitis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Left Eye Conjunctivitis

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

Acute allergic conjunctivitis in left eye

Specialty: Ophthalmology

Required Elements

  • Chief complaint
  • History of present illness
  • Physical examination findings
  • Diagnostic tests
  • Assessment and plan

Example Documentation

Patient presents with left eye itching and watery discharge. Exam shows papillae on conjunctiva. Diagnosis: Acute atopic conjunctivitis, left eye.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Conjunctivitis
Good Documentation Example
Acute atopic conjunctivitis, left eye with papillae
Explanation
The good example specifies the type and laterality, improving coding accuracy.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Left Eye Conjunctivitis? Ask your questions below.

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