Revenue Cycle Insider

Question: If a patient suffers from osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip caused by hip dysplasia, how do we report the diagnosis codes? Are there separate codes for the OA and the dysplasia?

Iowa Subscriber

Answer: For OA caused by hip dysplasia, there will be a one-code solution. That code will depend on several variables, however.

Do this: Go back and check the encounter notes for the laterality of the OA. Then, choose one of these codes:

• M16.2 (Bilateral osteoarthritis resulting from hip dysplasia)
• M16.30 (Unilateral osteoarthritis resulting from hip dysplasia, unspecified hip)
• M16.31 (Unilateral osteoarthritis resulting from hip dysplasia, right hip)
• M16.32 (Unilateral osteoarthritis resulting from hip dysplasia, left hip)

More on the condition: According to Kaitlyn Bohrer, CPC, COSC, orthopedic surgery coder at Eastside Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Oregon, dysplasia of the hip can be serious and ongoing. “Dysplasia of the hip ultimately causes the hip joint to become partially or completely dislocated from the socket; this occurs when the socket portion does not fully cover the ball portion of the upper thighbone,” Bohrer says.

“There are numerous causes of hip dysplasia resulting in dysplastic OA of the hip. The condition is largely developmental and has a high risk of dysplastic arthritis because of the constant depletion of the smooth cartilage on the bones that helps them glide fluently against each other,” Bohrer explains.

Best bet: Make sure your patients with OA caused by hip dysplasia get the most accurate and specific diagnoses possible, so you can ensure the best care for the condition.

Chris Boucher, MS, CPC, Senior Development Editor, AAPC