Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis(M19.011, M19.012, M19.111)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

AC Joint OsteoarthritisACJ Arthritis

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis

M19.01-M19.12Primary Range

Primary osteoarthritis of shoulder region

This range includes codes for primary osteoarthritis affecting the shoulder region, which encompasses the acromioclavicular joint.

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis of shoulder region

This range is used when osteoarthritis is secondary to trauma, such as a previous injury to the acromioclavicular joint.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
M19.011Primary osteoarthritis, right shoulderUse when primary osteoarthritis is diagnosed in the right acromioclavicular joint.
  • Tenderness over right AC joint
  • Radiographic evidence of joint space narrowing and osteophytes
M19.012Primary osteoarthritis, left shoulderUse when primary osteoarthritis is diagnosed in the left acromioclavicular joint.
  • Tenderness over left AC joint
  • Radiographic evidence of joint space narrowing and osteophytes
M19.111Post-traumatic osteoarthritis, right shoulderUse when osteoarthritis is secondary to trauma in the right acromioclavicular joint.
  • History of trauma to right AC joint
  • Radiographic evidence of post-traumatic changes

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 acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis

Essential facts and insights about Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis

The ICD-10 code for primary osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joint is M19.011 for the right shoulder and M19.012 for the left shoulder.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis

Primary osteoarthritis, right shoulder
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of joint space narrowing and osteophytes on imaging

Applicable To

  • Primary osteoarthritis of right acromioclavicular joint

Excludes

  • Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (M19.111)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Tenderness over right AC joint
  • Radiographic evidence of joint space narrowing and osteophytes

Code-Specific Risks

  • Ensure laterality is documented to avoid unspecified coding.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies 'primary' osteoarthritis and laterality.

Ancillary Codes

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

Pain in right shoulder

M25.511
Use for documenting associated pain if not adequately controlled.

Pain in left shoulder

M25.512
Use for documenting associated pain if not adequately controlled.

Differential Codes

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

Rotator cuff tear

M75.1
Use only if a rotator cuff tear is confirmed by imaging.

Primary osteoarthritis, right shoulder

M19.011
Use M19.011 for primary osteoarthritis without trauma history.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code M19.011.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to incorrect treatment planning., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential claim denials or audits.

Mitigation Strategy

Review patient history for prior injuries., Document any relevant trauma events.

Impact

Reimbursement: May result in denied claims or reduced reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of clinical data.

Mitigation Strategy

Always specify laterality (right or left) in documentation to use the correct code.

Impact

Missing laterality can lead to coding errors.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement checklist for documentation review.

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 Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis

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

Orthopedic evaluation of ACJ osteoarthritis

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • Patient history
  • Physical examination findings
  • Imaging results
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment plan

Example Documentation

Assessment: Primary osteoarthritis, left acromioclavicular joint (M19.012). Confirmed by tenderness on palpation, positive Paxinos test, and X-ray showing joint space narrowing.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Shoulder pain noted.
Good Documentation Example
Pain localized to superior shoulder at AC joint, exacerbated by overhead reaching. X-ray shows left AC joint space narrowing (1.8mm) and inferior osteophytes.
Explanation
The good example provides specific location, exacerbating factors, and imaging findings, supporting the diagnosis.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis? 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