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ICD-10 Coding for Osteoarthritis of the Left Shoulder(M19.012)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Osteoarthritis of the Left Shoulder. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left ShoulderOA Left Shoulder

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Osteoarthritis of the Left Shoulder

M15-M19Primary Range

Osteoarthritis

This range includes all osteoarthritis codes, with M19.012 specifically for primary OA of the left shoulder.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for osteoarthritis left shoulder

Essential facts and insights about Osteoarthritis of the Left Shoulder

The ICD-10 code for primary osteoarthritis of the left shoulder is M19.012, used when confirmed by imaging without prior trauma.

Primary ICD-10-CM Code for osteoarthritis left shoulder

Primary osteoarthritis, left shoulder
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Confirmed OA via imaging without prior trauma

Applicable To

  • Degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder

Excludes

  • Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (M19.112)
  • Secondary osteoarthritis (M19.212)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • X-ray showing joint space narrowing and osteophytes
  • No history of trauma or inflammatory arthritis

Code-Specific Risks

  • Risk of using unspecified codes when laterality is documented

Coding Notes

  • Ensure imaging confirms OA diagnosis before coding.

Ancillary Codes

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

Pain in left shoulder

M25.512
Use when pain is the primary symptom but OA is not confirmed.

Differential Codes

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

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis, left shoulder

M19.112
Use when there is a history of trauma leading to OA.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Osteoarthritis of the Left Shoulder to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code M19.012.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to misdiagnosis., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Always include imaging results in the patient's record., Train staff on documentation standards.

Impact

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

Mitigation Strategy

Always specify laterality if documented, using M19.012 for left shoulder.

Impact

Failure to document laterality can lead to audit flags.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement checklist for documentation completeness.

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 Osteoarthritis of the Left Shoulder, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Osteoarthritis of the Left Shoulder

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Osteoarthritis of the Left Shoulder. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Initial diagnosis of primary OA

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • Patient history
  • Imaging results
  • Physical examination findings

Example Documentation

Patient presents with chronic left shoulder pain. X-ray shows joint space narrowing and osteophytes. Diagnosis: Primary OA left shoulder (M19.012).

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Shoulder arthritis.
Good Documentation Example
Primary osteoarthritis of left shoulder confirmed by X-ray showing joint space narrowing and osteophytes.
Explanation
The good example specifies laterality and includes imaging confirmation.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Osteoarthritis of the Left Shoulder? Ask your questions below.

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