Wiki Fraying of Medial Meniscus

[gabetteyoung@yahoo.com]

I code for a hospital. On an MRI order, the dx code used was S83.241A (Other tear of medial meniscus, current injury, right). The MRI report states "Undersurface fraying on the root of the posterior horn medial meniscus." There is no code for "fraying" and in my research I'm seeing differing opinions as to whether fraying is considered an actual tear. Is it appropriate to code this as a tear?

Thank you!

 

[nickelclaw]

maybe consider degenerative M23.-

 

[gabetteyoung@yahoo.com]

maybe consider degenerative M23.-

Thanks for the reply! I had originally coded it as M23.322, but evidently the billing office is having an issue with the insurance company because the ortho office used the meniscal tear code to get the MRI authorized. And since I'm seeing conflicting information, I wanted to get some other opinions. Have a great weekend!