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ICD-10 Coding for Oral Dysphagia(R13.11)

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

Also known as:

Swallowing Difficulty - Oral PhaseOral Phase Dysphagia

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Oral Dysphagia

R13.1Primary Range

Dysphagia

This range includes all types of dysphagia, with R13.11 specifically for oral phase dysphagia.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for oral dysphagia

Essential facts and insights about Oral Dysphagia

The ICD-10 code for oral dysphagia is R13.11, covering difficulties in the oral phase of swallowing.

Primary ICD-10-CM Code for oral dysphagia

Dysphagia, oral phase
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of oral phase swallowing difficulty confirmed by VFSS or FEES.

documentation Criteria

  • Detailed description of oral phase impairment, such as bolus formation issues.

Applicable To

  • Difficulty initiating swallow
  • Lingual pumping observed

Excludes

  • Dysphagia, pharyngeal phase (R13.13)
  • Dysphagia, unspecified (R13.10)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS) showing oral residue >10%
  • Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) revealing delayed oral transit

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding as unspecified dysphagia (R13.10) when oral phase is documented.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies the oral phase to avoid using unspecified codes.

Ancillary Codes

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

Dysphagia following cerebral infarction

I69.191
Use when oral dysphagia is a sequela of a stroke.

Differential Codes

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

Dysphagia, pharyngeal phase

R13.13
Use R13.13 when the difficulty is in the pharyngeal phase, such as delayed swallow reflex.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Oral Dysphagia to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code R13.11.

Impact

Clinical: Inaccurate treatment planning., Regulatory: Potential audit issues., Financial: Denied claims due to insufficient documentation.

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific phase-related terminology., Include objective findings from swallow studies.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Use R13.11 when documentation specifies oral phase dysphagia.

Impact

Lack of specific phase documentation can lead to audit flags.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure detailed documentation of oral phase findings.

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 Oral Dysphagia, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Oral Dysphagia

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

Acute care setting for stroke patient

Specialty: Speech-Language Pathology

Required Elements

  • Oral mechanism exam findings
  • Clinical swallow findings
  • Plan of care

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has trouble swallowing.
Good Documentation Example
Oral phase dysfunction: 3-second delay in oral transit time with residual puree coating hard palate post-swallow.
Explanation
The good example provides specific phase-related details and quantifiable measures.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Oral Dysphagia? Ask your questions below.

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