ICD-10 Coding for Pulmonary Tuberculosis(A15.0, Z11.1)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Pulmonary Tuberculosis
A15-A19Primary Range
Tuberculosis
This range includes all forms of tuberculosis, with A15.0 specifically for pulmonary tuberculosis confirmed by bacteriological and histological examination.
Special screening and carrier status codes
Includes codes for screening and latent tuberculosis infection, such as Z11.1 for screening and Z22.7 for carrier status.
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| A15.0 | Tuberculosis of lung, confirmed by sputum microscopy with or without culture | Use when pulmonary tuberculosis is confirmed by laboratory tests. |
|
| Z11.1 | Encounter for screening for respiratory tuberculosis | Use for encounters specifically for TB screening. |
|
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 pulmonary tuberculosis
Essential facts and insights about Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for pulmonary tuberculosis
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Confirmed positive sputum culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis
documentation Criteria
- Detailed documentation of laboratory and radiographic findings
Applicable To
- Pulmonary tuberculosis confirmed by sputum culture
Excludes
- Latent tuberculosis (Z22.7)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Positive sputum culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Radiographic evidence of pulmonary involvement
Code-Specific Risks
- Incorrectly coding latent TB as active TB
Coding Notes
- Ensure microbiological confirmation before coding A15.0.
Z11.1 - Encounter for screening for respiratory tuberculosis
Use for encounters specifically for TB screening.
Applicable To
- Screening for active and latent TB
Excludes
- Confirmed active TB (A15.0)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Screening test results such as TST or IGRA
Coding Notes
Ensure documentation specifies the encounter is for screening purposes.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Pulmonary Tuberculosis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code A15.0.
Impact
Clinical: Incomplete clinical picture, Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards, Financial: Potential claim denials
Mitigation Strategy
Always include CXR results in documentation, Review documentation checklist before submission
Impact
Reimbursement: Incorrect reimbursement due to misclassification, Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines, Data Quality: Inaccurate health data reporting
Mitigation Strategy
Use A15.0 for confirmed cases of active pulmonary TB.
Impact
Risk of miscoding active TB as screening or latent TB.
Mitigation Strategy
Implement regular training on TB 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 Pulmonary Tuberculosis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Pulmonary Tuberculosis. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Active Pulmonary TB Diagnosis
Specialty: PulmonologyRequired Elements
- Patient symptoms
- Sputum culture results
- Radiographic findings
- Treatment plan
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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