Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for Subglottic Stenosis(J38.6, J95.5, Q31.1)

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

Also known as:

Subglottic NarrowingLaryngeal Stenosis

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Subglottic Stenosis

J38-J39Primary Range

Diseases of larynx and trachea

This range includes codes for various laryngeal and tracheal conditions, including subglottic stenosis.

Congenital malformations of the larynx and trachea

This range covers congenital forms of subglottic stenosis.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
J38.6Acquired subglottic stenosisUse for acquired stenosis without iatrogenic cause.
  • Endoscopic confirmation of subglottic narrowing
  • Absence of prior intubation or tracheostomy
J95.5Postprocedural subglottic stenosisUse when stenosis is directly related to a medical procedure.
  • History of intubation or tracheostomy
  • Endoscopic confirmation of stenosis
Q31.1Congenital subglottic stenosisUse for congenital cases confirmed by neonatal history.
  • Symptoms present since birth
  • Confirmed via neonatal records

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 acquired subglottic stenosis

Essential facts and insights about Subglottic Stenosis

The ICD-10 code for acquired subglottic stenosis is J38.6, used for cases not related to medical procedures.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for subglottic stenosis

Acquired subglottic stenosis
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • No history of intubation or tracheostomy

Applicable To

  • Idiopathic subglottic stenosis

Excludes

  • Congenital subglottic stenosis (Q31.1)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Endoscopic confirmation of subglottic narrowing
  • Absence of prior intubation or tracheostomy

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification if iatrogenic cause is present

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies acquired nature and excludes iatrogenic causes.

Ancillary Codes

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

Stridor

R06.1
Use when stridor is a primary symptom.

Tracheostomy status

Z93.0
Use to indicate current tracheostomy status.

Differential Codes

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

Postprocedural subglottic stenosis

J95.5
Use J95.5 if stenosis follows intubation or tracheostomy.

Acquired subglottic stenosis

J38.6
Use J38.6 if no procedural cause is identified.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Subglottic Stenosis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code J38.6.

Impact

Clinical: Misleading clinical records, Regulatory: Potential audit issues, Financial: Denied claims

Mitigation Strategy

Review patient history thoroughly, Ensure procedural details are included

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect DRG assignment, Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines, Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data

Mitigation Strategy

Use J95.5 for postprocedural stenosis.

Impact

Using J38.6 for iatrogenic cases can lead to audits.

Mitigation Strategy

Verify procedural history before coding.

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

Documentation Templates for Subglottic Stenosis

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

Post-intubation stenosis

Specialty: Otolaryngology

Required Elements

  • Procedure history
  • Endoscopic findings
  • Symptom description

Example Documentation

Patient presents with post-intubation subglottic stenosis confirmed by bronchoscopy.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has airway stenosis.
Good Documentation Example
Patient has post-intubation subglottic stenosis confirmed by bronchoscopy.
Explanation
The good example specifies the cause and confirmation method.

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

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

We build tools for
clinician happiness.

Learn More at Freed.ai
Back to HomeBeta

Built by Freed

Try Freed for free for 7 days.

Learn more