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ICD-10 Coding for Secondary Hypothyroidism(E03.8, E23.0)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Secondary Hypothyroidism. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Central HypothyroidismPituitary HypothyroidismHypothalamic Hypothyroidism

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Secondary Hypothyroidism

E03.8Primary Range

Other specified hypothyroidism

Primary code for secondary hypothyroidism when specified without cause.

Hypopituitarism

Used when secondary hypothyroidism is due to pituitary failure.

Hypothalamic dysfunction not elsewhere classified

Used when secondary hypothyroidism is due to hypothalamic dysfunction.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
E03.8Other specified hypothyroidismUse when secondary hypothyroidism is documented without specifying pituitary or hypothalamic cause.
  • Low TSH and low free T4 levels
  • Clinical documentation specifying secondary hypothyroidism
E23.0HypopituitarismUse when secondary hypothyroidism is due to pituitary failure.
  • MRI evidence of pituitary lesion
  • Low TSH and low free T4 levels

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 secondary hypothyroidism

Essential facts and insights about Secondary Hypothyroidism

The ICD-10 code for secondary hypothyroidism is E03.8, with E23.0 used for pituitary-related cases.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for secondary hypothyroidism

Other specified hypothyroidism
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Low TSH and low free T4 levels

documentation Criteria

  • Documentation specifies secondary hypothyroidism

Applicable To

  • Secondary hypothyroidism

Excludes

  • Primary hypothyroidism

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Low TSH and low free T4 levels
  • Clinical documentation specifying secondary hypothyroidism

Code-Specific Risks

  • Using this code without specifying secondary nature can lead to denials.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies secondary hypothyroidism to use this code.

Ancillary Codes

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

Hypopituitarism

E23.0
Use when secondary hypothyroidism is due to pituitary failure.

Other specified hypothyroidism

E03.8
Use to specify hypothyroidism as a result of hypopituitarism.

Differential Codes

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

Unspecified hypothyroidism

E03.9
Use E03.9 only when no specific type of hypothyroidism is documented.

Hypothalamic dysfunction not elsewhere classified

E23.3
Use E23.3 when hypothalamic dysfunction is the cause.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Secondary Hypothyroidism to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code E03.8.

Impact

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

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure thorough documentation of patient history and diagnostics., Use templates to guide documentation.

Impact

Reimbursement: May result in denied claims or lower reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 coding guidelines., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of clinical data.

Mitigation Strategy

Use E03.8 with additional codes for the underlying cause.

Impact

Using unspecified codes when specific cause is documented.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation specifies the cause and use appropriate 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 Secondary Hypothyroidism, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Secondary Hypothyroidism

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Secondary Hypothyroidism. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Secondary hypothyroidism due to pituitary adenoma

Specialty: Endocrinology

Required Elements

  • Patient history
  • Lab results
  • Imaging findings
  • Diagnosis

Example Documentation

Patient presents with fatigue and cold intolerance. Labs show TSH 0.4 mIU/L, free T4 0.7 ng/dL. MRI reveals pituitary adenoma. Diagnosis: Secondary hypothyroidism due to pituitary adenoma.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Hypothyroidism unspecified.
Good Documentation Example
Secondary hypothyroidism due to pituitary adenoma (TSH 0.3 mIU/L, free T4 0.8 ng/dL); MRI shows 1.2 cm pituitary mass.
Explanation
The good example specifies the cause and includes lab and imaging data.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Secondary Hypothyroidism? Ask your questions below.

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