ICD-10 Coding for Skin Tear(S01.119A, L08.9)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Skin Tear. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Skin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| S01.119A | Laceration without foreign body of unspecified eyelid and periocular area, initial encounter | Use for initial encounters of eyelid skin tears without foreign bodies. |
|
| L08.9 | Local infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified | Use when a skin tear is complicated by a local infection. |
|
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 skin tear
Essential facts and insights about Skin Tear
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for skin tear
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Presence of a skin tear on the eyelid without foreign body
Applicable To
- Eyelid tear
Excludes
- Infected eyelid tear
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Documentation of the location and severity of the tear
- Initial encounter status
Code-Specific Risks
- Incorrectly coding as a foreign body laceration
Coding Notes
- Ensure the encounter type is correctly identified as initial.
L08.9 - Local infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified
Use when a skin tear is complicated by a local infection.
Applicable To
- Infected skin tear
Excludes
- Non-infected skin tear
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Signs of infection such as redness, warmth, swelling, and purulent discharge
Coding Notes
Ensure infection is documented and clinically validated.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Differential Codes
Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.
Laceration with foreign body of unspecified eyelid and periocular area, initial encounter
S01.119BPressure ulcer
L89.0-L89.9Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Skin Tear to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code S01.119A.
Impact
Clinical: May lead to inadequate treatment of the infection., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims due to incomplete documentation.
Mitigation Strategy
Always assess and document signs of infection., Include culture results if available.
Impact
Reimbursement: May lead to incorrect DRG assignment and reimbursement issues., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate data for injury tracking and analysis.
Mitigation Strategy
Use specific codes for the anatomical site of the skin tear.
Impact
Failure to document and code infections can lead to audit issues.
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure thorough documentation of infection signs and symptoms.
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 Skin Tear, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Skin Tear
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Skin Tear. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Initial encounter for a skin tear
Specialty: DermatologyRequired Elements
- Location of the tear
- Size and depth
- Presence of infection
- Treatment provided
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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