ICD-10 Coding for Meniscus Injury(S83.22XA, M23.21)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Meniscus Injury. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Meniscus Injury
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| S83.22XA | Tear of medial meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter | Use for acute traumatic tears of the medial meniscus in the right knee during the initial encounter. |
|
| M23.21 | Derangement of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury | Use for chronic meniscus derangement 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 meniscus tear
Essential facts and insights about Meniscus Injury
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for meniscus injury
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Acute onset with traumatic event
documentation Criteria
- MRI confirmation of tear
Applicable To
- Acute traumatic tear of medial meniscus
Excludes
- Chronic meniscus tear (M23.2-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- MRI showing hyperintense signal contacting articular surface
- Positive McMurray's test
Code-Specific Risks
- Ensure laterality is specified to avoid unspecified coding.
Coding Notes
- Ensure documentation specifies the mechanism of injury and confirms acute nature.
M23.21 - Derangement of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury
Use for chronic meniscus derangement without recent trauma.
Applicable To
- Chronic degenerative tear of medial meniscus
Excludes
- Acute meniscus tear (S83.2-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- MRI showing degenerative changes
- History of knee pain >6 months
Coding Notes
Document chronicity and absence of recent trauma.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Bucket-handle tear of meniscus, current injury, subsequent encounter
S83.52XDDifferential 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 Meniscus Injury to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code S83.22XA.
Impact
Clinical: Misclassification of injury type, Regulatory: Increased audit risk, Financial: Potential claim denials
Mitigation Strategy
Document symptom duration, Include imaging findings
Impact
Reimbursement: May lead to denied claims or reduced reimbursement., Compliance: Increases risk of audit findings., Data Quality: Compromises accuracy of clinical data.
Mitigation Strategy
Always specify laterality to avoid unspecified codes.
Impact
Coding without specifying laterality increases audit risk.
Mitigation Strategy
Always document and code laterality.
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 Meniscus Injury, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Meniscus Injury
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Meniscus Injury. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Orthopedic evaluation of acute meniscus tear
Specialty: OrthopedicsRequired Elements
- Mechanism of injury
- Physical exam findings
- Imaging results
- Treatment plan
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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