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ICD-10 Coding for Maxillary Sinusitis(J01.00, J01.01, J32.0)

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

Also known as:

Maxillary Sinus InfectionSinusitis of Maxillary Sinus

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Maxillary Sinusitis

J01-J32Primary Range

Acute and Chronic Sinusitis

This range includes codes for both acute and chronic sinusitis, specifically addressing maxillary sinus conditions.

Bacterial and Viral Infectious Agents

These codes are used to identify infectious agents related to sinusitis when confirmed by laboratory tests.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
J01.00Acute maxillary sinusitisUse when the patient presents with symptoms of acute sinusitis localized to the maxillary sinus.
  • Sudden onset of facial pain/pressure
  • Purulent nasal discharge
  • Fever
J01.01Acute recurrent maxillary sinusitisUse when the patient has multiple documented episodes of acute sinusitis in the maxillary sinus.
  • Three or more episodes per year
  • Symptom-free intervals between episodes
J32.0Chronic maxillary sinusitisUse when the patient has chronic symptoms and imaging confirms maxillary sinus involvement.
  • Symptoms persisting for more than 12 weeks
  • CT scan showing mucosal thickening or obstruction

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 maxillary sinusitis

Essential facts and insights about Maxillary Sinusitis

The ICD-10 code for acute maxillary sinusitis is J01.00, while chronic maxillary sinusitis is coded as J32.0.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for maxillary sinus

Acute maxillary sinusitis
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of acute symptoms localized to the maxillary sinus

Applicable To

  • Acute sinus infection of the maxillary sinus

Excludes

  • Chronic maxillary sinusitis (J32.0)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Sudden onset of facial pain/pressure
  • Purulent nasal discharge
  • Fever

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification as unspecified sinusitis (J01.90)

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies 'acute' and 'maxillary' to avoid unspecified coding.

Ancillary Codes

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

Streptococcus pneumoniae as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

B95.2
Use when a culture confirms Streptococcus pneumoniae as the infectious agent.

Contact with and (suspected) exposure to environmental tobacco smoke

Z77.22
Use when there is documented exposure to tobacco smoke.

Differential Codes

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

Acute sinusitis, unspecified

J01.90
Use J01.90 only if the specific sinus affected is not documented.

Chronic maxillary sinusitis

J32.0
Chronic sinusitis is characterized by symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks.

Acute maxillary sinusitis

J01.00
Acute sinusitis is characterized by sudden onset and shorter duration.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Maxillary Sinusitis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code J01.00.

Impact

Clinical: Inaccurate treatment planning, Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards, Financial: Potential claim denials

Mitigation Strategy

Document each episode with dates, Specify 'recurrent' in the diagnosis

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate health records and statistics.

Mitigation Strategy

Use J01.00 or J01.01 based on the acute or recurrent nature of the condition.

Impact

Using J01.90 when specific sinus is documented.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate providers on the importance of specifying sinus location.

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 Maxillary Sinusitis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Maxillary Sinusitis

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

Chronic Maxillary Sinusitis with Imaging

Specialty: Otolaryngology

Required Elements

  • Subjective symptoms
  • Objective findings
  • Imaging results
  • Diagnosis

Example Documentation

34yo F c/o bilateral facial pressure, worsening over 3 months. CT sinus reveals bilateral maxillary sinus opacification. Assessment: Chronic maxillary sinusitis (J32.0).

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has sinusitis.
Good Documentation Example
Patient presents with facial pain and purulent discharge, diagnosed with acute maxillary sinusitis.
Explanation
The good example specifies the type and location of sinusitis, allowing for accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Maxillary Sinusitis? Ask your questions below.

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