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ICD-10 Coding for Right Shoulder Injury(S43.401A, M25.511)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Right Shoulder Injury. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Right Shoulder TraumaRight Shoulder Paininjury to right shoulder

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Right Shoulder Injury

S40-S49Primary Range

Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm

This range includes all traumatic injuries to the shoulder, including sprains, strains, and dislocations.

Pain in joint

This range is used for chronic pain in the shoulder joint without a specific injury.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
S43.401ASprain of unspecified ligament of right shoulder, initial encounterUse for initial encounter of acute right shoulder sprain.
  • Mechanism of injury: FOOSH
  • Tenderness at AC joint
M25.511Pain in right shoulderUse for chronic pain without a specific injury.
  • Pain duration >3 months
  • No acute injury on imaging

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 shoulder injury

Essential facts and insights about Right Shoulder Injury

The ICD-10 code for a right shoulder injury, such as a sprain, is S43.401A for the initial encounter.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for right shoulder injury

Sprain of unspecified ligament of right shoulder, initial encounter
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of acute trauma with ligament tenderness

documentation Criteria

  • Documented initial encounter with specific ligament

Applicable To

  • Right AC joint sprain

Excludes

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Mechanism of injury: FOOSH
  • Tenderness at AC joint

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrect laterality
  • Missing encounter type

Coding Notes

  • Ensure to document the mechanism of injury and specific ligament involved.

Ancillary Codes

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

Pain in right shoulder

M25.511
Use for chronic pain without a specific injury.

Differential Codes

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

Non-traumatic rotator cuff tear of right shoulder

M75.121
Use when imaging confirms a rotator cuff tear without acute trauma.

Sprain of unspecified ligament of right shoulder, initial encounter

S43.401A
Use for acute injury with specific ligament involvement.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Right Shoulder Injury to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code S43.401A.

Impact

Clinical: Ambiguity in patient records., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Always document 'right' or 'left' for shoulder injuries.

Impact

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

Mitigation Strategy

Use S-code with 7th character A for acute conditions.

Impact

Using chronic pain codes for acute injuries can lead to audit flags.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate staff on proper code selection based on encounter type.

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 Shoulder Injury, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Right Shoulder Injury

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

Emergency Department Visit for Right Shoulder Injury

Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Required Elements

  • Mechanism of injury
  • Specific ligament or area affected
  • Initial vs. subsequent encounter
  • Imaging results

Example Documentation

Patient presents with right shoulder pain after a fall. Tenderness at AC joint. X-ray negative. Initial encounter.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Right shoulder pain after fall. Tenderness noted.
Good Documentation Example
Mechanism: FOOSH injury. Tenderness at right AC joint. Initial encounter.
Explanation
The good example specifies the mechanism, location, and encounter type, which are critical for accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Right Shoulder Injury? Ask your questions below.

Ask about any ICD-10 CM code, or paste a medical note

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