ICD-10 Coding for Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections(N39.0, Z87.440)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| N39.0 | Urinary tract infection, site not specified | Use when there is an active UTI without a specified site. |
|
| Z87.440 | Personal history of urinary (tract) infections | Use when documenting a history of UTIs without current infection. |
|
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 recurrent UTIs
Essential facts and insights about Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for recurrent utis
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Presence of UTI symptoms and positive culture
Applicable To
- UTI with unspecified site
Excludes
- Z87.440 (History of UTI without current infection)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Positive urine culture with ≥10^5 CFU/mL
- Symptoms such as dysuria, frequency, urgency
Code-Specific Risks
- Using this code when a specific site is known can lead to inaccurate coding.
Coding Notes
- Ensure culture results and symptoms are documented to support this code.
Z87.440 - Personal history of urinary (tract) infections
Use when documenting a history of UTIs without current infection.
Applicable To
- History of recurrent UTIs
Excludes
- N39.0 (Active UTI)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Documented history of resolved UTIs
- No current symptoms or positive cultures
Coding Notes
Ensure there is no current infection when using this code.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Escherichia coli [E. coli] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
B96.21Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code N39.0.
Impact
Clinical: Loss of important clinical data, Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards, Financial: Potential reimbursement issues
Mitigation Strategy
Always check culture results for organism identification, Include organism code (B95-B97) when applicable
Impact
Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate patient records.
Mitigation Strategy
Use N39.0 for active infections and Z87.440 for historical cases only.
Impact
Using Z87.440 for active infections
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure active infections are coded with N39.0.
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 Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Recurrent UTI with prophylactic treatment
Specialty: UrologyRequired Elements
- Recurrent UTI criteria
- Culture results
- Prophylactic treatment details
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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