ICD-10 Coding for Right Knee Meniscus Tear(S83.20XA, M23.261)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Right Knee Meniscus Tear. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Right Knee Meniscus Tear
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| S83.20XA | Tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter | Use for acute, traumatic meniscus tears with specified mechanism of injury. |
|
| M23.261 | Derangement of meniscus due to old tear or injury, right knee | Use for chronic or degenerative meniscus tears without recent trauma. |
|
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 right knee meniscus tear
Essential facts and insights about Right Knee Meniscus Tear
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for right knee meniscus tear
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- MRI shows acute tear with effusion
documentation Criteria
- Patient history includes recent knee trauma
Applicable To
- Acute traumatic tear of right knee meniscus
Excludes
- Chronic meniscus tear (M23.2-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- MRI confirmation of meniscus tear
- Documentation of acute injury mechanism
Code-Specific Risks
- Risk of incorrect coding if chronicity is not specified
Coding Notes
- Ensure documentation specifies 'acute' and 'traumatic' to avoid defaulting to chronic codes.
M23.261 - Derangement of meniscus due to old tear or injury, right knee
Use for chronic or degenerative meniscus tears without recent trauma.
Applicable To
- Chronic meniscus tear of right knee
Excludes
- Acute meniscus tear (S83.2-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- History of knee pain without recent trauma
- MRI findings consistent with degenerative changes
Coding Notes
Ensure documentation specifies 'chronic' or 'degenerative' to avoid defaulting to acute codes.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Pain in right knee
M25.561Differential Codes
Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.
Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Right Knee Meniscus Tear to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code S83.20XA.
Impact
Clinical: Ambiguity in treatment planning, Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards, Financial: Potential claim denials or delays
Mitigation Strategy
Always include 'right' or 'left' in the diagnosis, Use EHR prompts to ensure laterality is documented
Impact
Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims or incorrect payment., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate patient records and data reporting.
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure documentation specifies whether the tear is acute or chronic.
Impact
Using unspecified codes without adequate documentation
Mitigation Strategy
Implement documentation templates that require specificity.
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 Right Knee Meniscus Tear, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Right Knee Meniscus Tear
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Right Knee Meniscus Tear. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Acute meniscus tear during sports
Specialty: OrthopedicsRequired Elements
- Mechanism of injury
- Symptoms
- MRI findings
- Specificity of tear type
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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