Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider treated a patient with “chronic pain, caused by trauma.” I was thinking of using G89.29, but my colleague says there should be a more specific ICD-10 code. Is there?

Tennessee Subscriber

Answer: Yes, there is a more specific ICD-10 code for chronic pain caused by trauma. On the claim, you should report G89.21 ().

There is also an ICD-10 code for general chronic pain: G89.29 (Other chronic pain). You should use this code only if a more specific code doesn’t exist for the patient’s pain. Since your provider indicated that the pain was trauma-induced, however, you’re better off going with the more specific code.  

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