ICD-10 Coding for Medial Meniscus Tear(S83.22XA, M23.211)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Medial Meniscus Tear. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Medial Meniscus Tear
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| S83.22XA | Tear of medial meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter | Use for acute injuries of the medial meniscus with specified laterality and encounter type. |
|
| M23.211 | Chronic instability of knee, right knee | Use for chronic conditions resulting from previous meniscal injuries. |
|
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 medial meniscus tear
Essential facts and insights about Medial Meniscus Tear
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for medial meniscus tear
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Presence of acute symptoms and recent trauma
documentation Criteria
- Documentation of mechanism of injury and acute symptoms
Applicable To
- Acute traumatic tear of medial meniscus
Excludes
- Chronic instability of knee (M23.2-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Positive McMurray test
- MRI showing displaced bucket-handle fragment
Code-Specific Risks
- Incorrectly coding chronic tears as acute
Coding Notes
- Ensure documentation specifies acute vs. chronic nature of the tear.
M23.211 - Chronic instability of knee, right knee
Use for chronic conditions resulting from previous meniscal injuries.
Applicable To
- Chronic degenerative tear of medial meniscus
Excludes
- Acute tear of meniscus (S83.2-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Recurrent knee locking
- Degenerative changes on X-ray
Coding Notes
Do not use with acute injury codes for the same knee.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Pain in right knee
M25.561Differential Codes
Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.
Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Medial Meniscus Tear to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code S83.22XA.
Impact
Clinical: Ambiguity in treatment planning., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential claim denials.
Mitigation Strategy
Always document right or left knee., Use templates to ensure completeness.
Impact
Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate patient records.
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure documentation clearly states whether the tear is acute or chronic.
Impact
Risk of incorrect coding due to unclear documentation.
Mitigation Strategy
Implement thorough documentation reviews.
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 Medial Meniscus Tear, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Medial Meniscus Tear
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Medial Meniscus Tear. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Acute Medial Meniscus Tear
Specialty: OrthopedicsRequired Elements
- Mechanism of injury
- MRI findings
- Physical exam results
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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