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ICD-10 Coding for Stomatitis(K12.1, K12.31)

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

Also known as:

Oral MucositisMouth Sores

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Stomatitis

K12-K14Primary Range

Diseases of oral soft tissues

This range includes codes for various forms of stomatitis and related oral conditions.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
K12.1Other forms of stomatitisUse when stomatitis is not specified as ulcerative or due to a specific cause like chemotherapy.
  • Clinical examination showing oral ulcers
  • Exclusion of viral causes via lab tests
K12.31Ulcerative stomatitis due to antineoplastic therapyUse when stomatitis is directly linked to chemotherapy treatment.
  • Patient undergoing chemotherapy
  • Temporal relationship between chemotherapy and onset of symptoms

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 stomatitis

Essential facts and insights about Stomatitis

The ICD-10 code for stomatitis is K12.1. For chemotherapy-induced stomatitis, use K12.31 with Z51.11.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for stomatitis

Other forms of stomatitis
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of oral ulcers without specific etiology

Applicable To

  • Aphthous stomatitis
  • Contact stomatitis

Excludes

  • Herpesviral gingivostomatitis (B00.2)
  • Necrotizing ulcerative stomatitis (A69.0)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Clinical examination showing oral ulcers
  • Exclusion of viral causes via lab tests

Code-Specific Risks

  • Risk of undercoding if etiology is not specified

Coding Notes

  • Ensure to document the specific type and cause of stomatitis.

Ancillary Codes

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

Contact with and (suspected) exposure to environmental tobacco smoke

Z77.22
Use when tobacco exposure is a contributing factor.

Differential Codes

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

Herpesviral gingivostomatitis

B00.2
Confirmed by PCR or Tzanck smear for HSV.

Necrotizing ulcerative stomatitis

A69.0
Presence of gangrenous lesions.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Stomatitis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code K12.1.

Impact

Clinical: Leads to unspecified coding., Regulatory: Increases audit risk., Financial: Potential for denied claims.

Mitigation Strategy

Detail lesion characteristics and etiology., Use specific ICD-10 codes.

Impact

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

Mitigation Strategy

Use K12.31 and sequence Z51.11 first.

Impact

Using K12.9 without specifying type or cause.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure detailed documentation of stomatitis type and etiology.

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

Documentation Templates for Stomatitis

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

Oncology patient with chemotherapy-induced stomatitis

Specialty: Oncology

Required Elements

  • Chemotherapy regimen
  • Onset of symptoms
  • Oral examination findings

Example Documentation

Patient presents with oral ulcers 7 days post cisplatin therapy. Documented as K12.31 with Z51.11.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Mouth sores after chemo.
Good Documentation Example
Patient developed ulcerative stomatitis 7 days after cisplatin therapy, documented as K12.31 with Z51.11.
Explanation
The good example specifies the cause and timing, supporting accurate coding.

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

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