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ICD-10 Coding for Athlete's Foot(B35.3)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Athlete's Foot. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Tinea PedisDermatophytosis of the FootFungal Infection of the FootFoot Fungus

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Athlete's Foot

B35-B49Primary Range

Mycoses

This range includes all fungal infections, with B35.3 specifically for tinea pedis.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for tinea pedis

Essential facts and insights about Athlete's Foot

The ICD-10 code for tinea pedis is B35.3, used for confirmed cases of athlete's foot.

Primary ICD-10-CM Code for tinea pedis

Tinea Pedis
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of scaling, erythema, and positive KOH test

coding Criteria

  • Avoid using B35.9 when specific location is documented

Applicable To

  • Athlete's foot
  • Dermatophytosis of the foot

Excludes

  • Infective dermatitis (L30.3)
  • Unspecified contact dermatitis (L25.9)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • KOH preparation positive for fungal hyphae
  • Characteristic interdigital maceration/scaling

Code-Specific Risks

  • Using unspecified codes like B35.9 when specific location is documented

Coding Notes

  • Ensure specific documentation of the type and location of tinea pedis.

Ancillary Codes

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

Type 2 diabetes with diabetic neuropathy

E11.40
Use when tinea pedis is present in a diabetic patient with neuropathy.

Cellulitis of unspecified part of limb

L03.119
Use when secondary bacterial cellulitis is present.

Differential Codes

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

Infective dermatitis

L30.3
Infective dermatitis involves broader skin infection not limited to fungal causes.

Unspecified contact dermatitis

L25.9
Contact dermatitis is due to allergens or irritants, not fungal infection.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Athlete's Foot to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code B35.3.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific terms like 'tinea pedis' and document test results.

Impact

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

Mitigation Strategy

Always use B35.3 when tinea pedis is confirmed.

Impact

Frequent use of B35.9 instead of B35.3.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate coders on specific code usage.

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 Athlete's Foot, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Athlete's Foot

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Athlete's Foot. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Diabetic patient with tinea pedis

Specialty: Podiatry

Required Elements

  • Patient history
  • Diabetic status
  • Foot examination findings
  • KOH test results

Example Documentation

Patient with diabetes presents with interdigital scaling and erythema. KOH test confirms dermatophytes. Plan: antifungal treatment.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Fungal infection foot.
Good Documentation Example
Interdigital tinea pedis with erythema and scaling, confirmed by KOH showing hyphae.
Explanation
The good example specifies the type and confirmation of the infection.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Athlete's Foot? Ask your questions below.

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