Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for Abscess of Abdominal Wall(L02.211, K65.1)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Abscess of Abdominal Wall. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Abdominal Wall AbscessCutaneous Abscess of Abdominal Wall

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Abscess of Abdominal Wall

L00-L99Primary Range

Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue

Includes conditions affecting the skin and subcutaneous tissue, such as cutaneous abscesses.

Diseases of peritoneum and retroperitoneum

Includes conditions affecting the peritoneum, such as peritoneal abscesses.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
L02.211Cutaneous abscess of abdominal wallUse when the abscess is located in the skin or subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal wall.
  • Imaging confirming subcutaneous location
  • Culture results identifying causative organism
K65.1Peritoneal abscessUse when the abscess is located within the peritoneal cavity.
  • Imaging confirming peritoneal involvement

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 abscess of abdominal wall

Essential facts and insights about Abscess of Abdominal Wall

The ICD-10 code for a cutaneous abscess of the abdominal wall is L02.211, used for abscesses in the skin or subcutaneous tissue.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for abscess of abdominal wall

Cutaneous abscess of abdominal wall
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Abscess located in the skin or subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal wall.

documentation Criteria

  • Imaging and culture results confirming subcutaneous abscess.

Applicable To

  • Subcutaneous abscess of abdominal wall

Excludes

  • Intra-abdominal abscess (K65.1)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Imaging confirming subcutaneous location
  • Culture results identifying causative organism

Code-Specific Risks

  • Confusion with intra-abdominal abscess codes

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies the exact location and depth of the abscess.

Ancillary Codes

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

Staphylococcus aureus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

B95.6
Use to identify the causative organism of the abscess.

Differential Codes

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

Peritoneal abscess

K65.1
Use K65.1 for abscesses involving the peritoneal cavity.

Cutaneous abscess of abdominal wall

L02.211
Use L02.211 for abscesses in the skin or subcutaneous tissue.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Abscess of Abdominal Wall to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code L02.211.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment decisions., Regulatory: Increases risk of audit discrepancies., Financial: Potential for denied claims due to incorrect coding.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure thorough documentation of imaging and clinical findings., Use standardized templates for abscess documentation.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to improper reimbursement., Compliance: May result in compliance issues during audits., Data Quality: Affects the accuracy of clinical data and statistics.

Mitigation Strategy

Verify the location and depth of the abscess through imaging and documentation.

Impact

Coding an abdominal wall abscess as intra-abdominal can lead to audit issues.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement regular training on code differentiation and documentation requirements.

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 Abscess of Abdominal Wall, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Abscess of Abdominal Wall

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Abscess of Abdominal Wall. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Emergency Department Note for Abdominal Wall Abscess

Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Required Elements

  • Location and size of abscess
  • Imaging results
  • Culture results
  • Procedure details

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has infected area on abdomen. Treated with I&D.
Good Documentation Example
3.5 cm fluctuant, erythematous mass in right lower quadrant abdominal wall with 5mL purulent drainage. CT confirms subcutaneous abscess without peritoneal involvement. Culture grows MRSA (B95.62). Simple I&D performed with wound packing.
Explanation
The good example provides specific details about the abscess location, size, imaging confirmation, and culture results, which are essential for accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Abscess of Abdominal Wall? 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