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ICD-10 Coding for Basal Ganglia Stroke and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness(I63.81, R10.11)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Basal Ganglia Stroke and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Basal Ganglia InfarctionCVA Tenderness

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Basal Ganglia Stroke and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness

I63-I64Primary Range

Cerebral infarction and stroke

Includes codes for different types of strokes, including those affecting the basal ganglia.

Pain localized to upper abdomen

Includes codes for costovertebral angle tenderness, indicating potential kidney issues.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
I63.81Lacunar infarctionUse when MRI confirms lacunar infarct in basal ganglia.
  • MRI showing <3 cm lesion
  • Documentation of 'small vessel disease'
R10.11Right costovertebral angle tendernessUse when physical exam confirms right-sided CVA tenderness.
  • Physical exam confirming right CVA tenderness

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 basal ganglia stroke

Essential facts and insights about Basal Ganglia Stroke and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness

Basal ganglia strokes are coded as I63.81 for lacunar infarctions and I63.89 for other specified cerebral infarctions.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for basal ganglia costovertebral angle

Lacunar infarction
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • MRI shows <3 cm lesion in basal ganglia

Applicable To

  • Small artery occlusion in basal ganglia

Excludes

  • Intracerebral hemorrhage (I61.0)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • MRI showing <3 cm lesion
  • Documentation of 'small vessel disease'

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification if lesion size not documented

Coding Notes

  • Ensure lesion size and vessel involvement are documented.

Ancillary Codes

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

National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score

R29.7
Use to document stroke severity.

Acute pyelonephritis

N10
Use if kidney infection is confirmed.

Differential Codes

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

Intracerebral hemorrhage in subcortical areas

I61.0
Use when hemorrhagic stroke is confirmed.

Left costovertebral angle tenderness

R10.12
Use when tenderness is on the left side.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Basal Ganglia Stroke and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code I63.81.

Impact

Clinical: Leads to vague clinical records., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding specificity requirements., Financial: Potential for reduced reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Always document specific anatomical details., Review imaging reports for precise coding.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding standards., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data recording.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure anatomical location is clearly documented and codes are used appropriately.

Impact

Risk of using unspecified codes for strokes.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement regular training on stroke documentation and coding.

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 Basal Ganglia Stroke and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Basal Ganglia Stroke and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Basal Ganglia Stroke and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Basal Ganglia Stroke Documentation

Specialty: Neurology

Required Elements

  • Lesion size
  • Vessel involvement
  • NIHSS score

Example Documentation

MRI shows 1.8 cm lesion in right basal ganglia. NIHSS 4.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient with stroke symptoms.
Good Documentation Example
72M with acute left hemiparesis. MRI shows 1.8 cm hyperintensity in right basal ganglia consistent with lacunar infarct.
Explanation
Good example specifies lesion size and location, supporting accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Basal Ganglia Stroke and Costovertebral Angle Tenderness? Ask your questions below.

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