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ICD-10 Coding for Right Shoulder Strain(S46.011A, M75.111)

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

Also known as:

R Shoulder StrainRight Rotator Cuff Strain

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Right Shoulder Strain

S46.0-S46.9Primary Range

Injury of muscle and tendon at shoulder and upper arm level

This range includes codes for injuries to the muscles and tendons of the shoulder, including strains.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
S46.011AStrain of muscle(s) and tendon(s) of the rotator cuff of right shoulder, initial encounterUse for initial encounter of acute right shoulder strain.
  • Acute trauma such as lifting injury or fall
  • Localized pain and tenderness
  • Reduced range of motion
  • + 1 more
M75.111Unspecified rotator cuff tear/rupture of right shoulder, not specified as traumaticUse for chronic or recurrent rotator cuff tears without acute trauma.
  • Chronic symptoms over 3 months
  • Recurrent weakness
  • MRI-confirmed tear without acute 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 shoulder strain

Essential facts and insights about Right Shoulder Strain

The ICD-10 code for right shoulder strain is S46.011A, applicable for initial encounters with acute strain.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for right shoulder strain

Strain of muscle(s) and tendon(s) of the rotator cuff of right shoulder, initial encounter
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of acute trauma and localized pain

coding Criteria

  • Use for initial encounter of acute strain

Applicable To

  • Acute strain of right rotator cuff

Excludes

  • Chronic tear of rotator cuff (M75.111)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Acute trauma such as lifting injury or fall
  • Localized pain and tenderness
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Negative imaging for tear

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrect use of 7th character for encounter type

Coding Notes

  • Ensure laterality is documented. Use the correct 7th character for encounter type.

Ancillary Codes

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

Encounter for orthopedic aftercare

Z47.89
Use for postoperative follow-up of chronic conditions.

Differential Codes

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

Sprain of right shoulder capsule

S43.421A
Differentiated by injury mechanism (ligament vs. muscle/tendon) and imaging findings.

Strain of muscle(s) and tendon(s) of the rotator cuff of right shoulder, initial encounter

S46.011A
Acute trauma and negative imaging for tear.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Right Shoulder Strain to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code S46.011A.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to incorrect treatment plans., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Use standardized templates, Review documentation for completeness

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to denied claims or reduced reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of healthcare data.

Mitigation Strategy

Document laterality and specific injury details to use specific codes.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may affect reimbursement rates., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 guidelines., Data Quality: Affects data integrity and tracking of patient encounters.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure correct 7th character is used based on encounter type.

Impact

Using unspecified codes can trigger audits due to lack of specificity.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure detailed documentation and use specific 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 Right Shoulder Strain, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Right Shoulder Strain

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

Acute right shoulder strain after lifting injury

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • Mechanism of injury
  • Pain location and severity
  • Range of motion findings
  • Imaging results

Example Documentation

Patient presents with acute right shoulder pain after lifting a heavy object. Pain localized to supraspinatus. MRI shows edema, no tear.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Shoulder pain. Treat with PT.
Good Documentation Example
Acute right rotator cuff strain due to lifting injury. Pain localized to supraspinatus. MRI negative for tear.
Explanation
The good example specifies laterality, mechanism, and imaging findings, providing a complete clinical picture.

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

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