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ICD-10 Coding for Infective Endocarditis(I33.0, I38)

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

Also known as:

Bacterial EndocarditisInfectious Endocarditis

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Infective Endocarditis

I33-I39Primary Range

Diseases of the endocardium

This range includes codes for various forms of endocarditis, both specified and unspecified, and related conditions.

Bacterial and viral infectious agents

These codes are used to identify the specific infectious organism causing the endocarditis.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
I33.0Acute and subacute infective endocarditisUse when infective endocarditis is confirmed with specific organism identified.
  • Positive blood cultures
  • Echocardiographic evidence of vegetations
I38Endocarditis, valve unspecifiedUse when endocarditis is documented but the valve is not specified.
  • General documentation of endocarditis without valve specification

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 infective endocarditis

Essential facts and insights about Infective Endocarditis

The ICD-10 code for infective endocarditis is I33.0, with additional codes for the causative organism.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for infective endocarditis

Acute and subacute infective endocarditis
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of vegetations on echocardiogram

documentation Criteria

  • Organism identified by blood culture

Applicable To

  • Infective endocarditis of native valve

Excludes

  • Endocarditis due to rheumatic fever (I01.1)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Positive blood cultures
  • Echocardiographic evidence of vegetations

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly using without specifying organism

Coding Notes

  • Ensure to document the specific valve and organism involved.

Ancillary Codes

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

Unspecified staphylococcus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

B95.8
Use to specify Staphylococcus as the causative organism.

Differential Codes

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

Acute endocarditis, unspecified

I33.9
Use when the specific organism or valve is not identified.

Acute and subacute infective endocarditis

I33.0
Use when specific valve and organism are identified.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Infective Endocarditis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code I33.0.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims.

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific terms for valve and organism., Follow Duke criteria for diagnosis.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to reduced reimbursement., Compliance: May result in non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Affects the accuracy of clinical data.

Mitigation Strategy

Use I33.0 with an additional code for the organism.

Impact

Failure to document specific organism can lead to audit issues.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure all blood culture results are documented.

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 Infective Endocarditis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Infective Endocarditis

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

Infective Endocarditis with Identified Organism

Specialty: Cardiology

Required Elements

  • Echocardiographic findings
  • Blood culture results
  • Clinical signs and symptoms

Example Documentation

Patient presents with fever and positive blood cultures for MSSA. TEE shows 1.2cm vegetation on mitral valve.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Heart infection with positive cultures.
Good Documentation Example
TEE shows 1.2cm vegetation on mitral valve, cultures positive for MSSA.
Explanation
The good example specifies the valve and organism, meeting documentation requirements.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Infective Endocarditis? Ask your questions below.

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