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ICD-10 Coding for Androgenic Alopecia(L64.9, L64.0, L64.8)

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

Also known as:

Male-pattern baldnessFemale-pattern hair lossAGA

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Androgenic Alopecia

L64-L64.9Primary Range

Androgenic alopecia

This range covers all forms of androgenic alopecia, including unspecified, drug-induced, and other specified types.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
L64.9Unspecified androgenic alopeciaUse when androgenic alopecia is diagnosed but not further specified.
  • Patterned hair loss
  • Family history of AGA
  • Trichoscopy showing miniaturization
L64.0Drug-induced androgenic alopeciaUse when hair loss is directly linked to medication use.
  • Temporal relationship between drug initiation and hair loss
  • Trichoscopy showing miniaturization
L64.8Other specified androgenic alopeciaUse for specific types of androgenic alopecia not classified elsewhere.
  • Early-onset patterned hair loss
  • Family history of early baldness

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 androgenic alopecia

Essential facts and insights about Androgenic Alopecia

The ICD-10 code for unspecified androgenic alopecia is L64.9. For drug-induced cases, use L64.0, and for other specified types, use L64.8.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for androgenic alopecia

Unspecified androgenic alopecia
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of patterned hair loss with no specific cause identified.

Applicable To

  • Male-pattern baldness
  • Female-pattern hair loss

Excludes

  • Telogen effluvium (L65.0)
  • Alopecia areata (L63.x)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Patterned hair loss
  • Family history of AGA
  • Trichoscopy showing miniaturization

Code-Specific Risks

  • Overuse of unspecified code without clinical justification

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation supports the use of an unspecified code.

Ancillary Codes

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

Adverse effect of drugs primarily affecting androgen levels

T38.4x5A
Use to specify the drug causing the alopecia.

Differential Codes

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

Telogen effluvium

L65.0
Characterized by diffuse hair shedding without pattern.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Androgenic Alopecia to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code L64.9.

Impact

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

Mitigation Strategy

Include detailed history and examination findings., Specify type and cause of alopecia.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to denied claims due to lack of specificity., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of clinical data.

Mitigation Strategy

Review clinical documentation for specific causes or types of alopecia.

Impact

High use of unspecified codes without supporting documentation.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure detailed documentation supports code selection.

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 Androgenic Alopecia, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Androgenic Alopecia

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

Drug-Induced Androgenic Alopecia

Specialty: Dermatology

Required Elements

  • Patient history
  • Medication list
  • Trichoscopy results

Example Documentation

Patient presents with hair loss 3 months after starting testosterone therapy. Trichoscopy shows miniaturization. Diagnosis: Drug-induced androgenic alopecia (L64.0).

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has hair loss.
Good Documentation Example
Patient reports hair loss 3 months after starting testosterone. Trichoscopy shows miniaturization. Diagnosis: Drug-induced androgenic alopecia (L64.0).
Explanation
The good example provides specific details about the cause and clinical findings, supporting the diagnosis.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Androgenic Alopecia? Ask your questions below.

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