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ICD-10 Coding for Diabetic Dermatitis(E11.620, L23.3)

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

Also known as:

Diabetes-related DermatitisDermatitis in Diabetes

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Diabetic Dermatitis

E11.620Primary Range

Type 2 diabetes mellitus with skin complications

Primary code for dermatitis directly linked to diabetes.

Contact dermatitis due to external agents

Used when dermatitis is caused by external allergens or irritants.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
E11.620Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic dermatitisUse when dermatitis is a direct complication of diabetes.
  • Elevated HbA1c (>6.5%)
  • Skin biopsy showing acanthosis and dermal inflammation
L23.3Allergic contact dermatitis due to drugsUse when dermatitis is caused by a drug allergy.
  • Patch test confirmation of drug allergy

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: How do you code dermatitis in a diabetic patient?

Essential facts and insights about Diabetic Dermatitis

Use E11.620 for diabetic dermatitis. If caused by an external agent, use L23 or L24 codes with diabetes as secondary.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for initials of a doctor with dermatitis

Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic dermatitis
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of diabetic skin changes with elevated HbA1c.

Applicable To

  • Diabetic skin complications

Excludes

  • Dermatitis due to external causes (L23-L24)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Elevated HbA1c (>6.5%)
  • Skin biopsy showing acanthosis and dermal inflammation

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification if dermatitis is not linked to diabetes.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation clearly links dermatitis to diabetes.

Ancillary Codes

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

Long-term (current) use of insulin

Z79.84
Use to indicate ongoing insulin therapy in diabetic patients.

Adverse effect of penicillins

T36.0X5A
Use for adverse drug reactions causing dermatitis.

Differential Codes

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

Allergic contact dermatitis due to drugs

L23.3
Use when dermatitis is due to drug allergy, not diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic dermatitis

E11.620
Use when dermatitis is a complication of diabetes.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Diabetic Dermatitis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code E11.620.

Impact

Clinical: Misdiagnosis of dermatitis type., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims.

Mitigation Strategy

Always document HbA1c and skin findings., Use specific codes for diabetic complications.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to lower reimbursement rates., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of medical records.

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific codes like E11.620 or L23.3 based on cause.

Impact

Risk of audits if dermatitis is not linked to diabetes.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure all documentation clearly links dermatitis to diabetes.

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 Diabetic Dermatitis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Diabetic Dermatitis

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

Diabetic patient with dermatitis

Specialty: Dermatology

Required Elements

  • Patient's diabetic status
  • Description of skin lesions
  • Linkage to diabetes

Example Documentation

**Subjective:** 'Patient with T2DM reports rash on shins.' **Objective:** 'Erythematous plaques on shins, HbA1c 8.5%.' **Assessment:** Diabetic dermatitis (E11.620). **Plan:** Topical steroids, glycemic control.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Rash on legs.
Good Documentation Example
Erythematous plaques on shins in diabetic patient, HbA1c 8.5%, consistent with diabetic dermatitis (E11.620).
Explanation
Good example specifies the type of dermatitis and links it to diabetes.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Diabetic Dermatitis? Ask your questions below.

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