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ICD-10 Coding for Painful Urination(R30.0, N39.0)

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

Also known as:

DysuriaPainful Micturition

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Painful Urination

R30-R39Primary Range

Symptoms and signs involving the urinary system

This range includes codes for symptoms related to the urinary system, including painful urination.

Other diseases of the urinary system

This range includes codes for specific urinary system diseases that may cause symptoms like painful urination.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
R30.0DysuriaUse when painful urination is the primary symptom and no specific cause is identified.
  • Patient reports painful urination
  • No confirmed UTI or other specific diagnosis
N39.0Urinary tract infection, site not specifiedUse when a UTI is confirmed as the cause of symptoms.
  • Positive urine culture
  • Symptoms such as dysuria, frequency, urgency

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 urination

Essential facts and insights about Painful Urination

The ICD-10 code for painful urination is R30.0, used when no specific cause is identified.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for painful urination

Dysuria
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Patient reports painful urination without a confirmed diagnosis

coding Criteria

  • No specific urinary condition identified

Applicable To

  • Painful urination

Excludes

  • Urinary tract infection (N39.0)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Patient reports painful urination
  • No confirmed UTI or other specific diagnosis

Code-Specific Risks

  • Using R30.0 when a specific cause like UTI is confirmed

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation clearly states 'painful urination' without linking to a specific cause unless known.

Ancillary Codes

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

Unspecified dysuria

R30.9
Use when documentation is vague and no specific cause is identified.

Differential Codes

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

Urinary tract infection, site not specified

N39.0
Use N39.0 when a UTI is confirmed as the cause of dysuria.

Dysuria

R30.0
Use R30.0 when no specific cause like UTI is confirmed.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Painful Urination to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code R30.0.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to misdiagnosis., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific symptom descriptions., Include lab results when available.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to incorrect DRG assignment and reimbursement issues., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Use N39.0 for confirmed UTI cases.

Impact

Risk of coding symptoms without ruling out specific conditions.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure thorough documentation and confirmatory testing.

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

Documentation Templates for Painful Urination

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

Urgent Care Visit for Dysuria

Specialty: Urgent Care

Required Elements

  • Chief complaint
  • History of present illness
  • Physical examination findings
  • Laboratory results
  • Assessment and plan

Example Documentation

[Chief Complaint]: 'Burning when I pee for 2 days' [History]: No prior UTIs, denies vaginal discharge/changes [Physical]: CVA tenderness negative, suprapubic tenderness mild [Labs]: UA WBC >25, nitrites positive [Assessment]: 'Acute dysuria likely secondary to UTI, pending culture' [Plan]: Start nitrofurantoin, follow-up if no improvement

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient reports painful urination.
Good Documentation Example
Sudden onset dysuria 3/10 intensity, negative for vaginal discharge, urine dipstick shows leukocyte esterase +, nitrites +, awaiting culture.
Explanation
The good example provides detailed symptom description and lab findings, supporting the diagnosis.

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

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