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ICD-10 Coding for Acute Rhinosinusitis(J01.90, J01.01)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Acute Rhinosinusitis. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Acute SinusitisSinus Infection

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Acute Rhinosinusitis

J01.0-J01.9Primary Range

Acute sinusitis

This range includes all forms of acute sinusitis, specifying the affected sinus.

Chronic sinusitis

Used when chronic sinusitis coexists with acute sinusitis.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
J01.90Acute sinusitis, unspecifiedUse when sinusitis is diagnosed but the specific sinus is not identified.
  • Symptom duration less than 4 weeks
  • Presence of purulent nasal discharge
J01.01Acute recurrent maxillary sinusitisUse when maxillary sinusitis is recurrent and documented as such.
  • Documented recurrence of at least 4 episodes per year
  • Symptom-free intervals between episodes

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 acute rhinosinusitis

Essential facts and insights about Acute Rhinosinusitis

The ICD-10 code for acute rhinosinusitis is J01.90 when unspecified.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for acute rhinosinusitis

Acute sinusitis, unspecified
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Symptoms present for less than 4 weeks with purulent discharge.

Applicable To

  • Acute rhinosinusitis

Excludes

  • Chronic sinusitis (J32.-)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Symptom duration less than 4 weeks
  • Presence of purulent nasal discharge

Code-Specific Risks

  • Risk of undercoding if specific sinus is involved but not documented.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies acute nature and symptom duration.

Ancillary Codes

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

Bacterial and viral infectious agents

B95-B97
Use to specify the infectious agent if known.

Streptococcus pneumoniae as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

B95.2
Use when Streptococcus pneumoniae is identified as the infectious agent.

Differential Codes

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

Acute nasopharyngitis

J00
Use J00 when there is no sinus involvement.

Chronic maxillary sinusitis

J32.0
Use J32.0 for symptoms persisting over 12 weeks.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Acute Rhinosinusitis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code J01.90.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate providers on documentation requirements., Use templates to ensure completeness.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may lead to reduced reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Query provider to confirm recurrence and document frequency.

Impact

Risk of miscoding recurrent cases as acute unspecified.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation explicitly states recurrence.

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 Acute Rhinosinusitis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Acute Rhinosinusitis

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Acute Rhinosinusitis. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Acute Maxillary Sinusitis

Specialty: Otolaryngology

Required Elements

  • Symptom duration
  • Specific sinus involvement
  • Presence of purulent discharge

Example Documentation

Patient presents with 7 days of right maxillary pain, purulent nasal discharge, and facial pressure.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Sinusitis
Good Documentation Example
Acute maxillary sinusitis with 7 days of purulent nasal discharge.
Explanation
The good example specifies the sinus involved and symptom duration.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Acute Rhinosinusitis? Ask your questions below.

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