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ICD-10 Coding for Urinalysis Culture and Sensitivity(R31.1, N39.0)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Urinalysis Culture and Sensitivity. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

UA C&SUrine Culture

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Urinalysis Culture and Sensitivity

R30-R39Primary Range

Symptoms and signs involving the urinary system

This range includes codes for urinary symptoms that often necessitate urinalysis culture and sensitivity testing.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
R31.1Asymptomatic hematuriaUse when urinalysis shows blood but the patient has no urinary symptoms.
  • Urinalysis showing red blood cells without symptoms
N39.0Urinary tract infection, site not specifiedUse when a UTI is diagnosed but the specific site is not identified.
  • Symptoms such as dysuria, frequency, and urgency
  • Positive urine culture

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 urinalysis culture and sensitivity

Essential facts and insights about Urinalysis Culture and Sensitivity

The ICD-10 code for urinalysis culture and sensitivity is N39.0, used for unspecified urinary tract infections with documented symptoms and positive culture results.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for urinalysis culture and sensitivity

Asymptomatic hematuria
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • No urinary symptoms present

Applicable To

  • Microscopic hematuria

Excludes

  • Hematuria with symptoms (R31.0)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Urinalysis showing red blood cells without symptoms

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification if symptoms are present

Coding Notes

  • Ensure no symptoms are documented when using this code.

Ancillary Codes

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

Culture, bacterial; quantitative, urine

87086
Use to quantify bacterial load in urine.

Culture, bacterial; isolation and presumptive identification of isolates, urine

87088
Use after 87086 confirms bacterial presence.

Differential Codes

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

Hematuria with symptoms

R31.0
Presence of symptoms like dysuria or frequency.

Acute cystitis

N30.0
Presence of bladder-specific symptoms.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Urinalysis Culture and Sensitivity to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code R31.1.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment, Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards, Financial: Potential denial of claims

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific symptom descriptors, Link symptoms to test orders

Impact

Reimbursement: Denial of payment for 87088, Compliance: Non-compliance with CMS sequencing rules, Data Quality: Inaccurate representation of diagnostic process

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure 87086 is performed and documented before 87088.

Impact

Failure to document 87086 before 87088

Mitigation Strategy

Implement checklist to verify sequencing compliance

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 Urinalysis Culture and Sensitivity, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Urinalysis Culture and Sensitivity

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Urinalysis Culture and Sensitivity. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Initial UTI workup

Specialty: Urology

Required Elements

  • Chief complaint
  • Physical examination findings
  • Urinalysis results
  • Culture orders

Example Documentation

CC: Dysuria and frequency. PE: Suprapubic tenderness. UA: WBC >50/hpf, nitrites positive. Plan: Order 87086 for bacterial quantification.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
UTI suspected, order culture.
Good Documentation Example
Patient reports dysuria and frequency. UA shows WBC >50/hpf. Ordered 87086 for bacterial quantification.
Explanation
The good example provides specific symptoms and urinalysis results, justifying the culture order.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Urinalysis Culture and Sensitivity? Ask your questions below.

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