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ICD-10 Coding for Gum Pain(K05.6, K06.01, G89.29)

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

Also known as:

Gingival PainPeriodontal Pain

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Gum Pain

K05-K06Primary Range

Gingivitis and periodontal diseases

Covers conditions related to gum inflammation and recession, primary for gum pain.

Pain, not elsewhere classified

Used for chronic pain management when gum pain is the primary focus.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
K05.6Periodontal disease, unspecifiedUse when gum pain is due to generalized inflammation without bone loss.
  • Redness and bleeding on probing
  • Plaque retention
  • No attachment loss
K06.01Localized gingival recessionUse when gum pain is due to localized gingival recession.
  • Recession measurements (e.g., 3mm recession on specific teeth)
G89.29Other chronic painUse when chronic pain management is the primary focus.
  • Pain duration >3 months
  • Failed conservative treatments

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 gum pain

Essential facts and insights about Gum Pain

The ICD-10 code for gum pain related to generalized inflammation without bone loss is K05.6.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for gum pain

Periodontal disease, unspecified
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • No bone loss on radiographs

Applicable To

  • Gingivitis
  • Periodontitis without bone loss

Excludes

  • Periodontitis with bone loss (K05.3)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Redness and bleeding on probing
  • Plaque retention
  • No attachment loss

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification if bone loss is present

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies absence of bone loss.

Ancillary Codes

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

Other chronic pain

G89.29
Use as secondary when pain management is the focus.

Differential Codes

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

Chronic periodontitis

K05.3
Presence of clinical attachment loss and radiographic bone loss.

Generalized gingival recession

K06.02
Recession present in >30% of sites.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Gum Pain to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code K05.6.

Impact

Clinical: Leads to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential claim denials due to lack of detail.

Mitigation Strategy

Use structured templates for documentation., Ensure all clinical findings are recorded.

Impact

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

Mitigation Strategy

Use K05.3 if bone loss is present.

Impact

Incorrect use of G89 codes without proper documentation.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure pain management is documented as primary reason for encounter.

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 Gum Pain, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Gum Pain

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

Generalized Gingivitis

Specialty: Dentistry

Required Elements

  • Subjective: Patient's description of pain
  • Objective: Clinical findings including bleeding on probing
  • Assessment: Diagnosis based on clinical findings
  • Plan: Treatment plan including scaling and oral hygiene instruction

Example Documentation

**Subjective**: "Throbbing gum pain LLQ x1 week; exacerbated by brushing." **Objective**: Generalized 4-5mm pockets, 50% bleeding on probing. **Assessment**: K05.6 (Generalized moderate gingivitis). **Plan**: D4346 scaling; OHI on Bass technique.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Gums hurt.
Good Documentation Example
Generalized 4-5mm pseudo-pockets with 60% bleeding on probing; heavy plaque; no bone loss on radiographs.
Explanation
The good example provides specific clinical findings and excludes bone loss.

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