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ICD-10 Coding for Painful Hip(M25.551, M25.552, M16.0)

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

Also known as:

Hip PainCoxalgia

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Painful Hip

M25.55Primary Range

Pain in hip

This range covers codes for pain specifically located in the hip, which is the primary concern for painful hip conditions.

Osteoarthritis of hip

This range includes codes for osteoarthritis, a common cause of hip pain.

Other chronic pain

This code is used for chronic pain management, often in conjunction with site-specific pain codes.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
M25.551Pain in right hipUse when the patient presents with pain specifically in the right hip without a confirmed underlying condition like osteoarthritis.
  • Patient reports pain localized to the right hip
  • Physical examination confirms tenderness in the right hip area
M25.552Pain in left hipUse when the patient presents with pain specifically in the left hip without a confirmed underlying condition like osteoarthritis.
  • Patient reports pain localized to the left hip
  • Physical examination confirms tenderness in the left hip area
M16.0Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of hipUse when bilateral osteoarthritis is confirmed via imaging.
  • Radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in both hips
  • Patient reports bilateral hip pain

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 painful hip

Essential facts and insights about Painful Hip

The ICD-10 code for painful hip is M25.55, with specific codes for right (M25.551) and left (M25.552) hip pain.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for painful hip

Pain in right hip
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Pain localized to the right hip without other specific diagnosis

documentation Criteria

  • Laterality must be specified as right

Applicable To

  • Right hip pain

Excludes

  • Osteoarthritis of right hip (M16.11)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Patient reports pain localized to the right hip
  • Physical examination confirms tenderness in the right hip area

Code-Specific Risks

  • Ensure laterality is documented to avoid unspecified coding.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies the right hip and any chronicity or etiology if known.

Ancillary Codes

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

Other chronic pain

G89.29
Use for chronic pain management when the pain duration exceeds 3 months.

Differential Codes

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

Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right hip

M16.11
Use M16.11 if osteoarthritis is confirmed via imaging.

Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left hip

M16.12
Use M16.12 if osteoarthritis is confirmed via imaging.

Pain in hip

M25.55
Use M25.55 if no osteoarthritis is confirmed.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Painful Hip to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code M25.551.

Impact

Clinical: May affect treatment planning., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims.

Mitigation Strategy

Always document the duration of pain., Include any functional limitations.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to denied claims or reduced reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of patient records.

Mitigation Strategy

Always specify laterality and etiology when known.

Impact

Using unspecified codes without proper documentation.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure all documentation specifies laterality and etiology.

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 Painful Hip, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Painful Hip

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

Chronic Bilateral Hip Pain

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • Pain duration
  • Laterality
  • Functional impact
  • Imaging findings

Example Documentation

Patient presents with chronic bilateral hip pain, worse on the right, with radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has hip pain.
Good Documentation Example
Patient has chronic bilateral hip pain, worse on the right, with radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis.
Explanation
The good example specifies laterality, chronicity, and provides imaging confirmation.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Painful Hip? Ask your questions below.

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