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ICD-10 Coding for Physical Assault(T74.11XA, T76.12XA)

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

Also known as:

Assault by bodily forcePhysical abuse

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Physical Assault

T74-T76Primary Range

Adult and child abuse, neglect and other maltreatment, confirmed and suspected

This range includes codes for confirmed and suspected cases of physical abuse and assault.

Assault by bodily force

This range is used for coding the mechanism of assault, such as bodily force.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
T74.11XAConfirmed adult physical abuse, initial encounterUse when abuse is confirmed by clinical or legal evidence.
  • Provider documentation of confirmed abuse
  • Corroborating evidence such as witness statements or legal determination
T76.12XASuspected child physical abuse, initial encounterUse when abuse is suspected but not confirmed.
  • Inconsistent history or delayed care
  • High-risk social context

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 confirmed physical assault

Essential facts and insights about Physical Assault

The ICD-10 code for confirmed adult physical assault is T74.11XA.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for physical assault

Confirmed adult physical abuse, initial encounter
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Confirmed abuse through clinical evaluation or legal report

Applicable To

  • Confirmed physical abuse

Excludes

  • Suspected physical abuse (T76.11XA)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Provider documentation of confirmed abuse
  • Corroborating evidence such as witness statements or legal determination

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding as suspected abuse when confirmed
  • Failure to document corroborating evidence

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation clearly states the abuse is confirmed.

Ancillary Codes

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

Assault by unarmed brawl or fight, initial encounter

Y04.0XXA
Use to specify the mechanism of assault.

Assault by other bodily force, initial encounter

Y04.8XXA
Use to specify the mechanism of assault.

Differential Codes

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

Suspected adult physical abuse, initial encounter

T76.11XA
Use when abuse is suspected but not confirmed.

Confirmed child physical abuse, initial encounter

T74.12XA
Use when abuse is confirmed by clinical or legal evidence.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Physical Assault to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code T74.11XA.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to incorrect diagnosis and treatment., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims.

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific language to describe injuries., Include corroborating evidence when available.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect sequencing can lead to improper DRG assignment., Compliance: May result in audit discrepancies., Data Quality: Affects the accuracy of abuse statistics.

Mitigation Strategy

Always code the abuse as primary, followed by injury codes.

Impact

Reimbursement: May affect reimbursement rates., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate data on confirmed abuse cases.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation clearly states the abuse is confirmed.

Impact

Using suspected codes for confirmed cases or vice versa.

Mitigation Strategy

Regular training on documentation and coding guidelines.

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

Documentation Templates for Physical Assault

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

Emergency Department Evaluation for Assault

Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Required Elements

  • Patient history
  • Physical examination findings
  • Diagnostic conclusions
  • Confirmation of abuse

Example Documentation

Patient presents with multiple contusions. Reports being assaulted by partner. Confirmed by police report.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has bruises.
Good Documentation Example
Patient has linear contusions on arms consistent with grip marks. Reports assault by partner.
Explanation
The good example provides specific details linking injuries to the assault.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Physical Assault? Ask your questions below.

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