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ICD-10 Coding for Penicillin Serum Sickness(T36.0X5A, L27.0, M25.50)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Penicillin Serum Sickness. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Serum Sickness-like ReactionSSLR

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Penicillin Serum Sickness

T36-T50Primary Range

Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of drugs, medicaments and biological substances

This range includes codes for adverse effects of drugs, including penicillin, which is relevant for coding serum sickness-like reactions.

Dermatitis due to substances taken internally

This range includes codes for skin reactions due to internal substances, applicable for documenting rashes associated with SSLR.

Other joint disorders, not elsewhere classified

This range includes codes for joint pain, relevant for documenting arthralgias in SSLR.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
T36.0X5AAdverse effect of penicillin, initial encounterUse when documenting an adverse reaction to penicillin presenting as a serum sickness-like reaction.
  • Symptoms onset 7-14 days after penicillin use
  • Presence of fever, rash, arthralgia
  • Absence of severe organ involvement
L27.0Generalized skin eruption due to drugs and medicamentsUse for documenting skin eruptions associated with drug intake.
  • Presence of generalized rash following drug intake
M25.50Pain in joint, unspecifiedUse for documenting joint pain associated with drug reactions.
  • Joint pain without swelling post-drug administration

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 penicillin serum sickness

Essential facts and insights about Penicillin Serum Sickness

The ICD-10 code for penicillin serum sickness-like reaction is T36.0X5A.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for penicillin serum sickness

Adverse effect of penicillin, initial encounter
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Symptoms consistent with SSLR post-penicillin use

documentation Criteria

  • Detailed documentation of symptoms and drug causality

Applicable To

  • Adverse effect of penicillin causing serum sickness-like reaction

Excludes

  • True serum sickness (T80.6)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Symptoms onset 7-14 days after penicillin use
  • Presence of fever, rash, arthralgia
  • Absence of severe organ involvement

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding as an unspecified allergy reaction

Coding Notes

  • Ensure to document the specific penicillin drug involved and the timing of symptoms.

Ancillary Codes

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

Allergy status to penicillin

Z88.0
Use to document a known allergy to penicillin for future reference.

Differential Codes

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

Serum reaction

T80.6
Use T80.6 for true serum sickness with immune complex involvement.

Allergy, unspecified

T78.40
Avoid using T78.40 for specific drug reactions like SSLR.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Penicillin Serum Sickness to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code T36.0X5A.

Impact

Clinical: Impairs ability to assess drug causality., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims due to insufficient documentation.

Mitigation Strategy

Always include the drug name and dose in records., Use templates to ensure completeness.

Impact

Reimbursement: May result in incorrect DRG assignment., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Decreases specificity in clinical data.

Mitigation Strategy

Use T36.0X5A for specific adverse effects of penicillin.

Impact

Audits may target unspecified allergy codes.

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific adverse effect codes with detailed documentation.

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 Penicillin Serum Sickness, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Penicillin Serum Sickness

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Penicillin Serum Sickness. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Initial encounter for penicillin SSLR

Specialty: Allergy and Immunology

Required Elements

  • Onset of symptoms
  • Specific penicillin agent
  • Symptom description
  • Absence of severe organ involvement

Example Documentation

Patient presents with urticarial rash and arthralgia 10 days after starting amoxicillin. No fever or organ dysfunction. T36.0X5A, L27.0, M25.50 documented.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Allergic reaction to penicillin.
Good Documentation Example
Serum sickness-like reaction 10 days post-amoxicillin: urticarial rash, arthralgia, no fever. T36.0X5A documented.
Explanation
The good example provides specific timing, symptoms, and correct coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Penicillin Serum Sickness? Ask your questions below.

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