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ICD-10 Coding for Right Medial Meniscus Tear(S83.221A, M23.211)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Right Medial Meniscus Tear. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Right Knee Meniscus TearMedial Meniscus Tear of Right Knee

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Right Medial Meniscus Tear

S83.22-S83.23Primary Range

Tear of meniscus, current injury

This range includes codes for acute tears of the meniscus, specifying laterality and encounter type.

Derangement of meniscus due to old tear or injury

This range is used for chronic or degenerative meniscus conditions.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
S83.221ATear of medial meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounterUse for acute traumatic tears of the right medial meniscus.
  • MRI showing vertical tear in the red-white zone
  • Positive McMurray test
M23.211Derangement of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury, right kneeUse for chronic degenerative tears with instability.
  • MRI showing meniscal extrusion and degenerative changes

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 medial meniscus tear

Essential facts and insights about Right Medial Meniscus Tear

The ICD-10 code for an acute right medial meniscus tear is S83.221A, used for initial encounters.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for right medial meniscus tear

Tear of medial meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Acute injury with mechanism of trauma

documentation Criteria

  • MRI confirmation of tear

Applicable To

  • Acute tear of right medial meniscus

Excludes

  • Chronic tear of meniscus (M23.2-)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • MRI showing vertical tear in the red-white zone
  • Positive McMurray test

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrect laterality
  • Missing encounter type

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies the tear type and encounter type.

Ancillary Codes

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

Pain in right knee

M25.561
Use when documenting associated knee pain.

Differential Codes

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

Derangement of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury, right knee

M23.211
Used for chronic conditions without recent trauma.

Tear of medial meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter

S83.221A
Used for acute injuries with recent trauma.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Right Medial Meniscus Tear to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code S83.221A.

Impact

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

Mitigation Strategy

Always document the affected side., Use templates that prompt for laterality.

Impact

Reimbursement: May result in lower reimbursement rates., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Reduces specificity and accuracy of clinical data.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation specifies laterality and tear type.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect DRG assignment., Compliance: Violation of Excludes1 notes., Data Quality: Inaccurate representation of patient condition.

Mitigation Strategy

Choose the most appropriate code based on documentation.

Impact

Use of unspecified codes can trigger audits.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure detailed documentation to support specific coding.

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 Medial Meniscus Tear, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Right Medial Meniscus Tear

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Right Medial Meniscus Tear. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Orthopedic Progress Note

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • Subjective symptoms
  • Objective findings
  • Imaging results
  • Assessment and plan

Example Documentation

**Subjective**: 32M c/o right knee locking x2 weeks. Hx: Basketball injury 3 days PTA with audible 'pop.' **Objective**: - Tenderness: Medial joint line - McMurray+: Pain with flexion/rotation - Effusion: 1+ **Imaging**: MRI (3/28/25) – Radial tear, posterior horn right medial meniscus (Fig. 2A). **Assessment**: Acute radial tear, right medial meniscus (S83.221A) **Plan**: Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (CPT 29881-LT).

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Right knee pain.
Good Documentation Example
Radial tear of posterior horn, right medial meniscus confirmed by MRI.
Explanation
The good example specifies the tear type and location, providing necessary detail for accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Right Medial Meniscus Tear? Ask your questions below.

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