ICD-10 Coding for Candidal Vulvovaginitis(B37.31, B37.32)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Candidal Vulvovaginitis. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Candidal Vulvovaginitis
B37.3-B37.32Primary Range
Candidiasis of vulva and vagina
This range includes specific codes for acute and chronic candidal vulvovaginitis.
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| B37.31 | Acute candidiasis of vulva and vagina | Use for acute infections with less than 4 episodes per year. |
|
| B37.32 | Chronic candidiasis of vulva and vagina | Use for chronic or recurrent infections with 4 or more episodes per year. |
|
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 candidal vulvovaginitis
Essential facts and insights about Candidal Vulvovaginitis
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for candidal vulvovaginitis
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Presence of acute symptoms and first occurrence
Applicable To
- Acute vulvovaginal candidiasis
Excludes
- Chronic candidiasis of vulva and vagina (B37.32)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Acute onset of symptoms
- KOH wet mount showing pseudohyphae
Code-Specific Risks
- Incorrectly coding chronic cases as acute
Coding Notes
- Ensure documentation specifies 'acute' to avoid using non-billable parent code.
B37.32 - Chronic candidiasis of vulva and vagina
Use for chronic or recurrent infections with 4 or more episodes per year.
Applicable To
- Chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis
- Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis
Excludes
- Acute candidiasis of vulva and vagina (B37.31)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- History of 4 or more episodes per year
- Positive culture for Candida species
Coding Notes
Document recurrence history to support chronic coding.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Personal history of candidiasis
Z87.44Differential Codes
Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.
Acute vaginitis
N76.0Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Candidal Vulvovaginitis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code B37.31.
Impact
Clinical: Inaccurate treatment planning, Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards, Financial: Potential claim denials
Mitigation Strategy
Always specify acute or chronic, Include detailed episode history
Impact
Reimbursement: Incorrect code may lead to claim denial., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.
Mitigation Strategy
Prioritize organism-specific codes over inflammatory codes.
Impact
Lack of documentation for recurrence history.
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure detailed history of episodes is documented.
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 Candidal Vulvovaginitis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Candidal Vulvovaginitis
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Candidal Vulvovaginitis. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Recurrent candidal vulvovaginitis
Specialty: OB/GYNRequired Elements
- History of episodes
- Physical exam findings
- Test results
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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