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ICD-10 Coding for History of Fracture(Z87.81, Z87.311)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for History of Fracture. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Healed FracturePast FractureOld Fracture

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to History of Fracture

Z87.81Primary Range

Personal history of (healed) traumatic fracture

Used for documenting a history of healed traumatic fractures.

Personal history of (healed) pathological fracture

Used for documenting a history of healed fractures due to pathological conditions.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
Z87.81Personal history of (healed) traumatic fractureUse when the patient has a history of a healed traumatic fracture and it is relevant to the current encounter.
  • Documentation of healed status
  • Imaging reports confirming fracture healing
Z87.311Personal history of (healed) pathological fractureUse when the patient has a history of a healed pathological fracture and it is relevant to the current encounter.
  • Documentation of healed status
  • Underlying condition documented (e.g., osteoporosis)

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 history of fracture

Essential facts and insights about History of Fracture

The ICD-10 code for a history of a healed traumatic fracture is Z87.81, while Z87.311 is used for healed pathological fractures.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for history of fracture

Personal history of (healed) traumatic fracture
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Fracture is fully healed with no active treatment.

Applicable To

  • Healed traumatic fracture

Excludes

  • Current traumatic fracture (S00-T88)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Documentation of healed status
  • Imaging reports confirming fracture healing

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly using for active fractures

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies 'healed' and the fracture type.

Ancillary Codes

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

Other postprocedural states

Z98.898
Use if there is retained hardware without symptoms.

Differential Codes

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

Nonunion of fracture

S82.301K
Use for nonunion of fractures, not for healed fractures.

Osteoporosis with current pathological fracture

M80.0AXA
Use for active pathological fractures due to osteoporosis.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting History of Fracture to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code Z87.81.

Impact

Clinical: Inaccurate patient history, Regulatory: Potential audit issues, Financial: Incorrect billing

Mitigation Strategy

Use templates, Educate staff on documentation standards

Impact

Reimbursement: May result in incorrect DRG assignment., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate patient records.

Mitigation Strategy

Use S00-T88 codes for active fractures.

Impact

Using history codes for active fractures.

Mitigation Strategy

Regular training and audits.

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 History of Fracture, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for History of Fracture

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for History of Fracture. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Orthopedic follow-up for healed fracture

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • Healed status
  • Fracture type
  • Location and laterality

Example Documentation

Patient presents for follow-up. History of healed traumatic fracture of right femur, treated with ORIF in 2020. X-ray confirms complete healing.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Old fracture.
Good Documentation Example
History of healed traumatic fracture of right femur, treated with ORIF in 2020.
Explanation
The good example specifies the fracture type, treatment, and healed status.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for History of Fracture? Ask your questions below.

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