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ICD-10 Coding for Brachial Plexus Injury(S14.3XXA, G54.0)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Brachial Plexus Injury. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Brachial Plexus LesionBrachial Plexopathy

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Brachial Plexus Injury

S14.3Primary Range

Injury of brachial plexus

This range covers acute traumatic injuries to the brachial plexus.

Brachial plexus disorders

This range includes non-traumatic or chronic conditions affecting the brachial plexus.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
S14.3XXAInjury of brachial plexus, initial encounterUse for acute traumatic injuries to the brachial plexus.
  • MRI showing root avulsion
  • EDX with absent SNAPs
G54.0Brachial plexus disordersUse for chronic or compressive lesions of the brachial plexus.
  • Negative trauma history
  • EMG showing chronic 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 brachial plexus injury

Essential facts and insights about Brachial Plexus Injury

The ICD-10 code for an acute traumatic brachial plexus injury is S14.3XXA, while G54.0 is used for chronic or non-traumatic conditions.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for brachial plexus injury

Injury of brachial plexus, initial encounter
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of acute trauma

documentation Criteria

  • Detailed mechanism of injury

Applicable To

  • Acute traumatic brachial plexus injury

Excludes

  • Chronic brachial plexus disorders (G54.0)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • MRI showing root avulsion
  • EDX with absent SNAPs

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly using for non-traumatic conditions

Coding Notes

  • Ensure laterality is specified with the 7th character.

Ancillary Codes

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

Injury of axillary nerve

S44.3X
Use when there is concurrent injury to the axillary nerve.

Differential Codes

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

Brachial plexus disorders

G54.0
Use G54.0 for non-traumatic or chronic conditions.

Injury of brachial plexus, initial encounter

S14.3XXA
Use S14.3XXA for acute traumatic injuries.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Brachial Plexus Injury to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code S14.3XXA.

Impact

Clinical: Ambiguity in treatment planning., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Always document the affected side in the medical record.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may lead to claim denials., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data reporting.

Mitigation Strategy

Use S14.3XXA for acute traumatic injuries.

Impact

Using G54.0 for acute trauma cases.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate coding staff on the differentiation between traumatic and non-traumatic codes.

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 Brachial Plexus Injury, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Brachial Plexus Injury

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Brachial Plexus Injury. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Acute traumatic brachial plexus injury

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • Mechanism of injury
  • Laterality
  • Root involvement
  • Functional impact

Example Documentation

Patient presents with a brachial plexus injury due to a motorcycle accident. MRI confirms C5-C7 root avulsion.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Brachial plexus injury noted.
Good Documentation Example
Complete postganglionic rupture of upper trunk (C5-C6) secondary to motorcycle collision, confirmed by intraoperative exploration.
Explanation
The good example provides specific details about the injury and confirmation methods.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Brachial Plexus Injury? Ask your questions below.

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