ICD-10 Coding for Knee Meniscus Tear(S83.241A, M23.21)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Knee Meniscus Tear. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Knee Meniscus Tear
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| S83.241A | Bucket-handle tear of medial meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter | Use for acute bucket-handle tears of the right knee during the initial encounter. |
|
| M23.21 | Derangement of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury | Use for chronic meniscus tears or instability without recent trauma. |
|
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 right knee meniscus tear
Essential facts and insights about Knee Meniscus Tear
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for knee meniscus tear
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- MRI shows acute bucket-handle tear
documentation Criteria
- Documented mechanism of injury and acute presentation
Applicable To
- Acute bucket-handle tear
Excludes
- Chronic meniscus tear (M23.2-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- MRI confirmation of bucket-handle tear
- Positive McMurray test
Code-Specific Risks
- Incorrectly coding as chronic if the injury is acute
Coding Notes
- Ensure documentation specifies the acute nature and laterality of the tear.
M23.21 - Derangement of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury
Use for chronic meniscus tears or instability without recent trauma.
Applicable To
- Chronic instability of meniscus
Excludes
- Acute meniscus tear (S83.2-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- History of previous meniscus injury
- MRI showing degenerative changes
Coding Notes
Ensure documentation reflects chronicity and absence of recent trauma.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Differential Codes
Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.
Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Knee Meniscus Tear to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code S83.241A.
Impact
Clinical: Ambiguity in treatment planning, Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards, Financial: Potential claim denials
Mitigation Strategy
Use templates that prompt for laterality, Review documentation before submission
Impact
Reimbursement: Incorrect reimbursement due to misclassification, Compliance: Potential audit issues, Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data
Mitigation Strategy
Differentiate between acute and chronic presentations based on history and imaging.
Impact
Misclassification of chronic tears as acute injuries
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure thorough documentation of history and imaging findings.
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 Knee Meniscus Tear, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Knee Meniscus Tear
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Knee Meniscus Tear. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Acute meniscus tear in a sports injury
Specialty: OrthopedicsRequired Elements
- Mechanism of injury
- MRI findings
- Physical exam results
- Treatment plan
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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