ICD-10 Coding for Long Thoracic Nerve Injury(S44.3X2A, G54.5, S14.3XXA)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Long Thoracic Nerve Injury. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Long Thoracic Nerve Injury
Injury of axillary nerve at shoulder and upper arm level
Used when long thoracic nerve injury is misclassified due to historical coding patterns.
Neuralgic amyotrophy
Applicable when idiopathic etiology is suspected, such as Parsonage-Turner syndrome.
S14.3Primary Range
Injury of brachial plexus
Used if injury extends to nerve roots (C5-C7), which includes the origin of the long thoracic nerve.
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| S44.3X2A | Injury of axillary nerve, left arm, initial encounter | When long thoracic nerve injury is misclassified due to historical coding patterns. |
|
| G54.5 | Neuralgic amyotrophy | When idiopathic etiology is suspected. |
|
| S14.3XXA | Injury of brachial plexus, initial encounter | If injury extends to nerve roots (C5-C7). |
|
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 long thoracic nerve injury
Essential facts and insights about Long Thoracic Nerve Injury
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for long thoracic nerve injury left upper extremity
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Presence of scapular winging and EMG findings
Applicable To
- Traumatic injury to long thoracic nerve at shoulder/upper arm level
Excludes
- Injury of brachial plexus (S14.3-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- EMG showing denervation of serratus anterior
- MRI neurography indicating nerve injury
Code-Specific Risks
- Misclassification with other nerve injuries
- Incorrect laterality documentation
Coding Notes
- Ensure laterality and encounter type are documented.
G54.5 - Neuralgic amyotrophy
When idiopathic etiology is suspected.
Applicable To
- Acute onset scapular winging without trauma
Clinical Validation Requirements
- EMG-confirmed long thoracic neuropathy
Coding Notes
Document acute onset and lack of trauma.
S14.3XXA - Injury of brachial plexus, initial encounter
If injury extends to nerve roots (C5-C7).
Applicable To
- C5-C7 nerve root avulsion with long thoracic nerve involvement
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Intraoperative findings of nerve root avulsion
Coding Notes
Ensure documentation of nerve root involvement.
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 Long Thoracic Nerve Injury to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code S44.3X2A.
Impact
Clinical: Leads to incorrect treatment plans., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential claim denials.
Mitigation Strategy
Always specify left or right in documentation.
Impact
Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 coding standards., Data Quality: Inaccurate data affecting clinical records.
Mitigation Strategy
Manually override with: S44.3X2A + Z18.2 if applicable
Impact
High risk of audit if laterality is not documented.
Mitigation Strategy
Implement mandatory fields for laterality in EHR.
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 Long Thoracic Nerve Injury, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Long Thoracic Nerve Injury
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Long Thoracic Nerve Injury. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Traumatic Injury (Baseball Pitcher)
Specialty: OrthopedicsRequired Elements
- Mechanism of injury
- Physical exam findings
- EMG results
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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