Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for Total Hip Replacement (Left)(M16.12, S72.002A, Z96.642)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Total Hip Replacement (Left). Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Left Hip ArthroplastyLeft Hip Joint Replacement

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Total Hip Replacement (Left)

M16.0-M16.9Primary Range

Osteoarthritis of hip

Primary range for coding osteoarthritis leading to hip replacement.

Fracture of femur

Used when hip replacement is due to femoral fracture.

Presence of orthopedic joint implants

Used to indicate the presence of a prosthetic joint post-surgery.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
M16.12Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left hipUse when the primary reason for replacement is osteoarthritis.
  • X-ray showing joint space narrowing
  • History of chronic hip pain
S72.002AFracture of unspecified part of neck of left femur, initial encounter for closed fractureUse when the replacement is due to a fracture.
  • X-ray confirming fracture
  • Acute injury presentation
Z96.642Presence of left artificial hip jointUse as a secondary code to indicate the presence of a prosthetic joint.
  • Surgical history indicating hip replacement

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 total hip replacement

Essential facts and insights about Total Hip Replacement (Left)

The ICD-10 code for the presence of a left artificial hip joint is Z96.642. For osteoarthritis leading to replacement, use M16.12.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for total hip replacement left

Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left hip
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Confirmed osteoarthritis with imaging and failed conservative treatment.

Applicable To

  • Degenerative joint disease of left hip

Excludes

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • X-ray showing joint space narrowing
  • History of chronic hip pain

Code-Specific Risks

  • Ensure laterality is documented to avoid unspecified coding.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation supports the diagnosis of osteoarthritis with imaging and clinical history.

Ancillary Codes

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

Presence of left artificial hip joint

Z96.642
Use as secondary code to indicate prosthetic status.

Differential Codes

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

Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right hip

M16.11
Use for right hip; ensure correct laterality.

Fracture of unspecified part of neck of right femur, initial encounter for closed fracture

S72.001A
Use for right femur; ensure correct laterality.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Total Hip Replacement (Left) to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code M16.12.

Impact

Clinical: Lack of evidence for diagnosis., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Always attach imaging reports, Summarize key findings in notes

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect DRG assignment leading to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Use the underlying condition (e.g., M16.12) as primary.

Impact

Reimbursement: Claims may be denied for unspecified codes., Compliance: Failure to meet coding specificity requirements., Data Quality: Ambiguous clinical data affecting patient records.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation explicitly states 'left' for laterality.

Impact

Failure to document laterality can lead to audits.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure all documentation specifies 'left' for hip replacements.

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 Total Hip Replacement (Left), with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Total Hip Replacement (Left)

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Total Hip Replacement (Left). These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Post-Operative Follow-Up

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • Patient-reported outcomes
  • Incision status
  • Range of motion
  • Imaging results

Example Documentation

Patient reports no pain. Incision clean. ROM: 90° flexion. X-ray shows proper alignment.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient doing well.
Good Documentation Example
Patient reports no pain. Incision clean, dry, intact. ROM: 90° flexion, 25° abduction. X-ray shows proper alignment.
Explanation
The good example provides specific clinical details and imaging results.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Total Hip Replacement (Left)? Ask your questions below.

Ask about any ICD-10 CM code, or paste a medical note

We build tools for
clinician happiness.

Learn More at Freed.ai
Back to HomeBeta

Built by Freed

Try Freed for free for 7 days.

Learn more