Orthopedic Coding Alert
Learn About A Less Common 7th Character
Question: I use the code S82.821 to report a torus fracture. The patient in question returned with some delayed healing so I used the seventh character D to indicate the subsequent encounter. However, my claim was rejected. What did I do wrong? Indiana Subscriber Answer: You need to code S82.821- (Torus fracture of the lower end of right fibula) with the seventh character G. While not a common seventh character, “G” indicates that the patient has returned for a subsequent encounter, but with delayed healing, as you have noted in your question. The character “D” only indicates that a subsequent encounter occurred and leaves out the details that the patient is experiencing complications. The majority of codes requiring a seventh character use “A,” “D,” or “S” indicating initial encounter, subsequent encounter, and sequela respectively. Some codes can use more seventh characters to add greater detail to the code. For example, “K” means subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion and “P” means subsequent encounter for fracture with malunion. Only some codes can use these extra characters, and your ICD-10-CM manual will indicate which codes apply. As for your code, you should code it as S82.821G to give the utmost detail about injury type, laterality, and encounter.
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Learn About A Less Common 7th Character
Question: I use the code S82.821 to report a torus fracture. The patient in question returned [...]
