Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for Hip Pain(M16.0, M25.551)

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

Also known as:

Hip Joint PainCoxalgiapain in hip

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Hip Pain

M16.0-M16.9Primary Range

Osteoarthritis of hip

This range covers osteoarthritis of the hip, a common cause of hip pain.

Pain in hip

This range is used for unspecified hip pain when the cause is not confirmed.

Other chronic pain

Used for chronic hip pain when the duration exceeds three months without a definitive diagnosis.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
M16.0Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of hipUse when bilateral hip osteoarthritis is confirmed by imaging.
  • Radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis
  • Documented etiology of primary osteoarthritis
M25.551Pain in right hipUse when the patient reports pain in the right hip without a specific diagnosis.
  • Patient-reported pain in the right hip
  • Absence of specific diagnosis like osteoarthritis

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 hip pain

Essential facts and insights about Hip Pain

The ICD-10 code for unspecified hip pain is M25.55-, while specific conditions like osteoarthritis use codes from the M16 range.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for hip pain

Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of hip
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Radiographic confirmation of osteoarthritis

Applicable To

  • Osteoarthritis of both hips

Excludes

  • Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (M16.4)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis
  • Documented etiology of primary osteoarthritis

Code-Specific Risks

  • Ensure imaging confirms bilateral involvement.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure to document the chronicity and functional impact of the pain.

Ancillary Codes

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

Other chronic pain

G89.29
Use for chronic pain management when pain persists beyond three months.

Differential Codes

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

Pain in right hip

M25.551
Use when pain is present without confirmed osteoarthritis.

Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of hip

M16.0
Use M16.0 if osteoarthritis is confirmed.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Hip Pain to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code M16.0.

Impact

Clinical: Inaccurate treatment planning, Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards, Financial: Potential denial of claims

Mitigation Strategy

Always specify left, right, or bilateral in documentation

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may lead to reduced reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate data on the prevalence of osteoarthritis.

Mitigation Strategy

Use M16.- series codes when osteoarthritis is confirmed by imaging.

Impact

Inadequate documentation of chronic pain duration and management.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure detailed documentation of pain duration and previous treatments.

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

Documentation Templates for Hip Pain

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

Chronic bilateral hip pain with osteoarthritis

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • Pain characterization
  • Functional impact
  • Imaging results

Example Documentation

Patient presents with chronic bilateral hip pain, confirmed by X-ray showing joint space narrowing. Pain is exacerbated by weight-bearing activities.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Hip pain present
Good Documentation Example
Severe right hip pain (7/10 VAS) exacerbated by weight-bearing activities, morning stiffness >60 minutes, limited internal rotation to 10 degrees. X-ray shows superior joint space narrowing with subchondral sclerosis.
Explanation
The good example provides specific details about the pain, its impact, and imaging findings, supporting accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Hip Pain? Ask your questions below.

Ask about any ICD-10 CM code, or paste a medical note

We build tools for
clinician happiness.

Learn More at Freed.ai
Back to HomeBeta

Built by Freed

Try Freed for free for 7 days.

Learn more