A&P Tip: Juvenile Arthritis

By Rhonda Buckholtz, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, CENTC, CGSC, COBGC, CPEDC
Juvenile arthritis, which includes juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis in children under the age of 17. It occurs when the immune system attacks its own cells and tissues. It is considered an autoimmune disorder. Both heredity and environment play a role, but the exact cause of this disease is unknown.
Juvenile arthritis can cause persistent pain and swelling of one or more joints, affecting mobility. Other signs include:

• Limping in the morning because of a stiff leg joint
• Clumsiness
• Fever and rash
• Swelling in lymph nodes

Juvenile arthritis can also cause eye inflammation and growth problems. Symptoms may get better or go away (remission) and then return in full force (flare). This condition may last only a few months or a lifetime.
Diagnosis of juvenile arthritis is based on physical exam, lab tests, and medical history. X-rays may also be ordered.
ICD-10 classifies juvenile arthritis (M08) into three major subtypes defined by symptoms present during the first six months following onset: systemic onset, polyarticular onset, and pauciarticular onset.

 
Rhonda Buckholtz, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, CENTC, CGSC, COBGC, CPEDC, is vice president of ICD-10 Training and Education at AAPC.

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Rhonda Buckholtz

Rhonda Buckholtz, CPC, CPMA, CRC, CDEO, CMPE, CHC, COPC, AAPC Approved Instructor, is owner of Coding and Reimbursement Experts. She spends her time helping physician practices achieve operational excellence, compliance, education, and Lean Six Sigma through her consulting. Buckholtz has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare management, compliance, and reimbursement/coding sectors. She was responsible for all ICD-10 training and curriculum at AAPC during the transition from ICD-9. Buckholtz has authored numerous articles for healthcare publications and she has spoken at numerous national conferences for AAPC and others. She is past co-chair for the WEDI ICD-10 Implementation Workgroup, Advanced Payment Models Workgroup, and she provided testimony for ICD-10 and standardization of data for National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics. Buckholtz is on AAPC’s National Advisory Board.

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