ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

You Be the Coder:

Scour Notes for Every Osteomyelitis Dx Detail

Question: Encounter notes indicate that the ED physician diagnosed acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in the patient’s hand. How should I report this diagnosis?

AAPC Forum Subscriber

Answer: The best ICD-10 code isn’t clear with the information provided.

Do this: Go back and check the notes for indications of laterality on the osteomyelitis. Then, choose one of the following diagnosis codes to include on your claim:

  • M86.041 (Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis, right hand)
  • M86.042 (Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis, left hand)
  • M86.049 (Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis, unspecified hand).