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

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

Also known as:

Degenerative Joint Disease of Left ShoulderLeft Shoulder OA

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Osteoarthritis of Left Shoulder

M19.0-M19.9Primary Range

Other and unspecified osteoarthritis

This range includes codes for primary osteoarthritis affecting various joints, including the shoulder.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for osteoarthritis of left shoulder

Essential facts and insights about Osteoarthritis of Left Shoulder

The ICD-10 code for primary osteoarthritis of the left shoulder is M19.012.

Primary ICD-10-CM Code for osteoarthritis of left shoulder

Primary osteoarthritis, left shoulder
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of chronic degenerative changes in the left shoulder without trauma history.

documentation Criteria

  • Documentation must include imaging findings and specify laterality.

Applicable To

  • Degenerative joint disease of left shoulder

Excludes

  • Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (M19.112)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Radiographic evidence of joint space narrowing
  • Presence of osteophytes
  • Absence of systemic inflammatory markers

Code-Specific Risks

  • Risk of using this code without confirming laterality
  • Confusion with post-traumatic osteoarthritis

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies 'primary osteoarthritis' and 'left shoulder' to avoid unspecified 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 a dominant symptom alongside osteoarthritis.

Obesity

Z78.0
Use if obesity is contributing to the severity of osteoarthritis.

Differential Codes

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

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis, left shoulder

M19.112
Requires a documented history of trauma to the shoulder.

Traumatic arthropathy, left shoulder

M19.212
Associated with acute injury and osteoarthritic changes.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Osteoarthritis of 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 incorrect treatment plans., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims due to unspecified coding.

Mitigation Strategy

Always specify laterality in documentation., Use templates that prompt for specific details.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may lead to denied claims or incorrect DRG assignment., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data and statistics.

Mitigation Strategy

Use M19.112 if the osteoarthritis is post-traumatic.

Impact

Unspecified codes can lead to audit flags and reimbursement issues.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation specifies laterality and type of osteoarthritis.

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

Documentation Templates for Osteoarthritis of Left Shoulder

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

Chronic left shoulder pain due to osteoarthritis

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • History of present illness
  • Physical examination findings
  • Imaging results
  • Assessment and plan

Example Documentation

Patient presents with chronic left shoulder pain. X-ray confirms joint space narrowing and osteophytes. Assessment: Primary osteoarthritis, left shoulder (M19.012).

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Left shoulder arthritis, treat with injection.
Good Documentation Example
Primary osteoarthritis left shoulder (M19.012) confirmed by X-ray showing medial joint space narrowing and inferior osteophytes. No history of trauma. Plan: corticosteroid injection.
Explanation
The good example provides specific diagnosis, imaging confirmation, and a clear treatment plan.

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

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