ICD-10 Coding for Cellulitis of Finger(L03.011, L03.012, L03.019)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Cellulitis of Finger. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Cellulitis of Finger
L03.01-L03.019Primary Range
Cellulitis of finger
This range covers cellulitis specifically affecting the fingers, including laterality and unspecified cases.
Bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
These codes are used to identify the bacterial organism causing the cellulitis, such as Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus.
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| L03.011 | Cellulitis of right finger | Use when cellulitis is confirmed in the right finger with appropriate clinical documentation. |
|
| L03.012 | Cellulitis of left finger | Use when cellulitis is confirmed in the left finger with appropriate clinical documentation. |
|
| L03.019 | Cellulitis of unspecified finger | Use when cellulitis is confirmed but laterality is not specified. |
|
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 cellulitis of right finger
Essential facts and insights about Cellulitis of Finger
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for cellulitis of finger
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Presence of erythema, swelling, and warmth in the right finger
documentation Criteria
- Documentation must specify right finger and include organism if known
Applicable To
- Paronychia of right finger
- Onychia of right finger
- Felon of right finger
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Localized erythema, swelling, warmth, and tenderness in the right finger
- Positive culture for bacterial organism
Code-Specific Risks
- Misidentifying laterality
- Not documenting the organism causing the infection
Coding Notes
- Ensure laterality is documented and specify the organism when known.
L03.012 - Cellulitis of left finger
Use when cellulitis is confirmed in the left finger with appropriate clinical documentation.
Applicable To
- Paronychia of left finger
- Onychia of left finger
- Felon of left finger
Excludes
- Cellulitis of hand (L03.11-)
- Abscess of finger (L02.51-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Localized erythema, swelling, warmth, and tenderness in the left finger
- Positive culture for bacterial organism
Coding Notes
Ensure laterality is documented and specify the organism when known.
L03.019 - Cellulitis of unspecified finger
Use when cellulitis is confirmed but laterality is not specified.
Applicable To
- Paronychia of unspecified finger
- Onychia of unspecified finger
- Felon of unspecified finger
Excludes
- Cellulitis of hand (L03.11-)
- Abscess of finger (L02.51-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Localized erythema, swelling, warmth, and tenderness in a finger
- Positive culture for bacterial organism
Coding Notes
Specify laterality whenever possible to avoid unspecified coding.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Differential Codes
Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.
Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Cellulitis of Finger to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code L03.011.
Impact
Clinical: Reduces clinical specificity and accuracy., Regulatory: Increases risk of audit findings., Financial: May result in lower reimbursement rates.
Mitigation Strategy
Review documentation for laterality before coding, Use coding software prompts to ensure specificity
Impact
Reimbursement: May lead to reduced reimbursement due to unspecified coding., Compliance: Increases audit risk due to lack of specificity., Data Quality: Decreases data quality and clinical accuracy.
Mitigation Strategy
Always document and code the specific finger affected.
Impact
Coding without specifying the affected finger increases audit risk.
Mitigation Strategy
Implement documentation checks for laterality before finalizing 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 Cellulitis of Finger, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Cellulitis of Finger
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Cellulitis of Finger. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Cellulitis of right index finger with confirmed Staphylococcus aureus
Specialty: Emergency MedicineRequired Elements
- Location and laterality
- Symptoms and clinical findings
- Culture results
- Treatment plan
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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