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Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Reader Question:

Identify the Osteomyelitis Organism

Published on Mon Jun 18, 2012

Question: Which diagnosis codes should I use for chronic osteomyelitis of the third metatarsal of the right foot?Montana SubscriberAnswer: The proper diagnosis code for chronic osteomyelitis of the third metatarsal is 730.17 (Chronic osteomyelitis involving ankle and foot).When reporting a case of osteomyelitis, you must report an additional diagnosis code to identify the organism causing the infection. An osteomyelitis infection is most commonly caused by either streptococcus or staphylococcus bacteria. You should therefore report 041.10 (Staphylococcus infection in conditions classified elsewhere and of unspecified site staphylococcus unspecified) or 041.11 (Methicillin susceptible staphylococcus aureus in conditions classified elsewhere and of unspecified site) if the infection is staph-related, or choose from the 041.0x series (Streptococcus...) for infections of that type.
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