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ICD-10 Coding for Medial Meniscus Tear of the Right Knee(S83.22XA, M23.221)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Medial Meniscus Tear of the Right Knee. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Right Knee Medial Meniscus InjuryMedial Meniscus Tear Right Knee

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Medial Meniscus Tear of the Right Knee

S83.2Primary Range

Tear of meniscus, current injury

This range includes codes for acute tears of the meniscus, specifying laterality and encounter type.

Derangement of meniscus due to old tear or injury

This range includes codes for chronic conditions resulting from previous meniscus tears.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
S83.22XATear of medial meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounterUse for initial encounter of an acute medial meniscus tear in the right knee.
  • MRI confirmation of tear
  • Positive McMurray’s test
M23.221Derangement of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury, right kneeUse for chronic instability of the medial meniscus in the right knee due to a previous tear.
  • History of previous meniscus tear
  • Recurrent knee instability

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 medial meniscus tear right knee

Essential facts and insights about Medial Meniscus Tear of the Right Knee

The ICD-10 code for an acute medial meniscus tear in the right knee is S83.22XA for the initial encounter.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for medial meniscus tear right knee

Tear of medial meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter
Non-billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • MRI confirmation of medial meniscus tear

documentation Criteria

  • Specify laterality and encounter type

Applicable To

  • Acute medial meniscus tear, right knee

Excludes

  • Chronic meniscus tear (M23.2-)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • MRI confirmation of tear
  • Positive McMurray’s test

Code-Specific Risks

  • Ensure laterality and encounter type are documented.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies 'right knee' and encounter type.

Ancillary Codes

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

Pain in right knee

M25.561
Use if pain persists after tear resolution or is unrelated to the primary diagnosis.

Differential Codes

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

Bucket-handle tear of meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter

S83.52XA
MRI shows displaced fragment typical of bucket-handle tear.

Tear of medial meniscus, current injury, right knee, subsequent encounter

S83.22XD
Use for follow-up care of an acute tear.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Medial Meniscus Tear of the Right Knee to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code S83.22XA.

Impact

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

Mitigation Strategy

Use templates that prompt for encounter type., Educate staff on importance of complete documentation.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to claim denials or reduced reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 coding standards., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of patient records.

Mitigation Strategy

Always specify laterality in documentation and use specific codes.

Impact

Using the wrong 7th character for encounter type.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement checks to ensure correct character usage based on documentation.

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 Medial Meniscus Tear of the Right Knee, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Medial Meniscus Tear of the Right Knee

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Medial Meniscus Tear of the Right Knee. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Initial Evaluation of Acute Medial Meniscus Tear

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • Patient history
  • Mechanism of injury
  • Physical exam findings
  • Imaging results
  • Diagnosis and plan

Example Documentation

Patient presents with right knee pain after a twisting injury during soccer. MRI confirms a vertical tear of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. Plan includes rest, ice, and referral to physical therapy.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Right knee pain, possible meniscus tear.
Good Documentation Example
Acute vertical tear of posterior horn, medial meniscus, right knee confirmed by MRI.
Explanation
The good example specifies the type and location of the tear, confirmed by imaging.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Medial Meniscus Tear of the Right Knee? Ask your questions below.

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