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ICD-10 Coding for Pilonidal Disease(L05.01, L05.02, L05.91, L05.92)

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

Also known as:

Pilonidal CystPilonidal Sinus

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Pilonidal Disease

L05Primary Range

Pilonidal cyst and sinus

This range includes all codes related to pilonidal disease, differentiating between abscess presence and sinus vs. cyst.

Congenital sacral dimple

Used for congenital dimples, which are excluded from pilonidal disease coding unless specified as acquired.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
L05.01Pilonidal cyst with abscessUse when there is an acute pilonidal abscess with purulent drainage.
  • Acute inflammation
  • Purulent drainage
  • Fluctuance
L05.02Pilonidal sinus without abscessUse for chronic sinus tracts without active purulence.
  • Chronic sinus tract
  • Granulation tissue
L05.91Pilonidal cyst without abscessUse for non-tender cysts without signs of infection.
  • Palpable cyst
  • No drainage
L05.92Pilonidal sinus with serous drainageUse for chronic sinuses with serous or serosanguinous discharge.
  • Epithelialized tract
  • Serous drainage

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 pilonidal disease

Essential facts and insights about Pilonidal Disease

The ICD-10 code for pilonidal disease with abscess is L05.01, used for acute cases with purulent drainage.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for pilonidal disease

Pilonidal cyst with abscess
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of purulent drainage and fluctuant mass

Applicable To

  • Acute pilonidal abscess

Excludes

  • Congenital sacral dimple (Q82.6)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Acute inflammation
  • Purulent drainage
  • Fluctuance

Code-Specific Risks

  • Confusion with general abscess codes

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies 'pilonidal' to avoid confusion with other abscess codes.

Ancillary Codes

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

Staphylococcus aureus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

B95.6
Use when MSSA is cultured from the abscess.

Differential Codes

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

Cutaneous abscess of buttock

L02.31
Use L02.31 for non-pilonidal abscesses in the buttock area.

Pilonidal cyst without abscess

L05.91
Use L05.91 for non-draining cysts without sinus formation.

Pilonidal sinus with serous drainage

L05.92
Use L05.92 for draining sinuses.

Pilonidal cyst with abscess

L05.01
Use L05.01 for acute abscesses with purulent drainage.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Pilonidal Disease to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code L05.01.

Impact

Clinical: Leads to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims due to insufficient documentation.

Mitigation Strategy

Train staff on specific documentation requirements., Use templates to ensure all necessary details are captured.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data affecting patient records.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation specifies 'pilonidal' to use L05.01.

Impact

Using L02.31 instead of L05.01 for pilonidal abscesses.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate coders on the specific criteria for pilonidal disease codes.

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

Documentation Templates for Pilonidal Disease

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

Pilonidal abscess with drainage

Specialty: General Surgery

Required Elements

  • Location and size of abscess
  • Characteristics of drainage
  • Presence of cellulitis
  • Procedure performed

Example Documentation

4cm fluctuant pilonidal abscess in midline gluteal cleft with 3cm erythema. I&D yielded 15ml purulent drainage containing hair shafts. Culture sent. No evidence of cellulitis.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Infected cyst in buttock area
Good Documentation Example
3cm fluctuant mass in gluteal cleft with purulent drainage and surrounding 4cm erythema. Patient febrile (101.3°F).
Explanation
The good example provides specific details about the abscess and associated symptoms, supporting accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Pilonidal Disease? Ask your questions below.

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