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ICD-10 Coding for Infectious Arthritis of Toe(M00.871, M00.872)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Infectious Arthritis of Toe. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Septic Arthritis of ToeBacterial Arthritis of Toe

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Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Infectious Arthritis of Toe

M00.87-Primary Range

Pyogenic arthritis of ankle and foot

This range includes codes for infectious arthritis affecting the ankle and foot, which encompasses the toe.

B95-B97

Bacterial and viral infectious agents

These codes are used to specify the causative organism of the infection.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
M00.871Pyogenic arthritis, right ankle and footUse when diagnosing infectious arthritis in the right toe with confirmed bacterial infection.
  • Synovial fluid WBC >50,000 cells/mcL
  • Positive bacterial culture from synovial fluid
M00.872Pyogenic arthritis, left ankle and footUse when diagnosing infectious arthritis in the left toe with confirmed bacterial infection.
  • Synovial fluid WBC >50,000 cells/mcL
  • Positive bacterial culture from synovial fluid

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 infectious arthritis of toe

Essential facts and insights about Infectious Arthritis of Toe

The ICD-10 code for infectious arthritis of the toe is M00.871 for the right toe and M00.872 for the left toe, with additional codes for the causative organism.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for infectious arthritis of toe

M00.871
Pyogenic arthritis, right ankle and foot
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Confirmed bacterial infection in the right toe joint

Applicable To

  • Infectious arthritis of right toe

Excludes

  • Non-infectious arthritis

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Synovial fluid WBC >50,000 cells/mcL
  • Positive bacterial culture from synovial fluid

Code-Specific Risks

  • Risk of using unspecified laterality

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies laterality and organism.
View Full Code Details

Ancillary Codes

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

Staphylococcus aureus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

B95.61
Use when Staphylococcus aureus is identified as the causative organism.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

B95.62
Use when MRSA is identified as the causative organism.

Differential Codes

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

Gout of right ankle and foot

M10.071
Presence of urate crystals in synovial fluid.

Gout of left ankle and foot

M10.072
Presence of urate crystals in synovial fluid.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Infectious Arthritis of Toe to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code M00.871.

Impact

Clinical: Inaccurate representation of the infection cause., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for claim rejections.

Mitigation Strategy

Always include organism code when identified., Review culture results before coding.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to claim denials or reduced reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 coding guidelines., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of clinical data.

Mitigation Strategy

Always document and code the specific laterality of the affected toe.

Impact

Use of unspecified codes when specific laterality is documented.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation includes laterality and use specific 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 Infectious Arthritis of Toe, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Infectious Arthritis of Toe

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

Acute Infectious Arthritis of Toe

Specialty: Podiatry

Required Elements

  • Chief complaint
  • Physical examination findings
  • Laboratory results
  • Imaging studies
  • Treatment plan

Example Documentation

Patient presents with acute pain and swelling in the left great toe. Synovial fluid analysis shows WBC >50,000 cells/mcL. Culture positive for MRSA. Initiated IV antibiotics.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has toe infection.
Good Documentation Example
Patient presents with acute bacterial arthritis of the left great toe MTP joint, confirmed by synovial fluid culture positive for MRSA.
Explanation
The good example provides specific joint location, laterality, and organism identification, which are essential for accurate coding.

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