ICD-10 Coding for Left Femur Pain(M79.652, S72.002A)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Left Femur Pain. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Left Femur Pain
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| M79.652 | Pain in left thigh | Use when the patient presents with isolated left thigh pain without a confirmed fracture. |
|
| S72.002A | Unspecified fracture of left femur, initial encounter | Use when a fracture of the left femur is confirmed by imaging. |
|
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 femur pain
Essential facts and insights about Left Femur Pain
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for left femur pain
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Pain localized to the left thigh without trauma history.
documentation Criteria
- Include pain score and physical exam findings.
Applicable To
- Localized pain in left thigh
- Pain management for left thigh
Excludes
- Pain due to fracture (use S72.0 codes)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Patient reports localized pain in left thigh
- Pain score documented using VAS or NRS
- Physical exam findings such as tenderness or limited ROM
Code-Specific Risks
- Risk of using unspecified codes like M79.60
- Failure to document laterality
Coding Notes
- Ensure documentation specifies 'left thigh' to avoid using less specific codes.
S72.002A - Unspecified fracture of left femur, initial encounter
Use when a fracture of the left femur is confirmed by imaging.
Applicable To
- Initial encounter for left femur fracture
Excludes
- Pain management without fracture (use M79.652)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Imaging confirms fracture
- Documented trauma history
Coding Notes
Ensure fracture details and encounter type are documented.
Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Left Femur Pain to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code M79.652.
Impact
Clinical: Inaccurate clinical records, Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding guidelines, Financial: Potential claim denials
Mitigation Strategy
Always specify 'left' or 'right' in documentation, Use templates that prompt for laterality
Impact
Reimbursement: May lead to incorrect DRG assignment, Compliance: Non-compliance with specificity requirements, Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of clinical data
Mitigation Strategy
Use M79.652 for specific left thigh pain
Impact
Using unspecified codes for specific conditions
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure documentation supports the most specific code available.
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 Femur Pain, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Left Femur Pain
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Left Femur Pain. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Chronic left thigh pain management
Specialty: OrthopedicsRequired Elements
- Pain score
- Physical exam findings
- Imaging results
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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