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ICD-10 Coding for Muscle Spasm(M62.830)

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

Also known as:

Muscle CrampBack Muscle Spasminvoluntary muscle contraction

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Muscle Spasm

M62.830-M62.838Primary Range

Muscle spasm codes for specific body regions

Covers muscle spasms in various body parts, with M62.830 specifically for the back.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for muscle spasm

Essential facts and insights about Muscle Spasm

The ICD-10 code for muscle spasm of the back is M62.830, used for documenting involuntary muscle contractions in the back.

Primary ICD-10-CM Code for muscle spasm

Muscle spasm of back
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of involuntary muscle contractions in the back

coding Criteria

  • Differentiate from muscle strain and low back pain

documentation Criteria

  • Document specific muscle groups affected

Applicable To

  • Back muscle spasm

Excludes

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Palpable tightness in paraspinal muscles
  • Restricted range of motion
  • Pain exacerbated by movement

Code-Specific Risks

  • Confusion with low back pain (M54.5)
  • Misclassification as muscle strain (S39.012)

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies the location and severity of the spasm.

Ancillary Codes

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

Other muscle spasm

M62.838
Use for muscle spasms in non-back regions.

Differential Codes

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

Low back pain

M54.5
Use when pain is present without muscle spasm.

Strain of muscle and tendon of lower back

S39.012
Use for injuries involving muscle fibers, not spasms.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Muscle Spasm to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code M62.830.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment plans., Regulatory: Increases risk of audit failures., Financial: Potential for claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Use detailed clinical language., Include all relevant clinical findings.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims., Compliance: Misclassification affects compliance with coding standards., Data Quality: Impacts the accuracy of clinical data.

Mitigation Strategy

Verify clinical findings to differentiate between spasm and strain.

Impact

Inaccurate documentation can lead to audit failures.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement regular documentation audits and training.

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 Muscle Spasm, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Muscle Spasm

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

Acute back muscle spasm in emergency setting

Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Required Elements

  • Patient history
  • Physical examination findings
  • Imaging results if applicable
  • Treatment plan

Example Documentation

Patient presents with acute onset of severe back pain. Examination reveals palpable muscle spasm in the lumbar region with limited range of motion. No neurological deficits observed.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has back pain.
Good Documentation Example
Patient reports sudden onset of severe lumbar pain with palpable muscle spasm and restricted movement.
Explanation
The good example provides specific clinical findings and context.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Muscle Spasm? Ask your questions below.

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