Z codes also apply to post-op care when the condition that precipitated the surgery no longer exists—but the patient still requires therapeutic care to return to a healthy level of function. In situations like these, ICD-10 provides a few coding options, including: Z47.1, Aftercare following joint replacement surgery.
The appropriate codes for this scenario, according to this presentation, would be: 1 ICD-10: Z47.1, aftercare following surgery for joint replacement 2 ICD-10: Z96.651, Status (post), organ replacement, by artificial or mechanical device or prosthesis of, joint, knee-see... 3 ICD-10: R26.9 Abnormality, gait More ...
For an acute knee replacement, should I always resort to using "Z" codes for my diagnosis or should I always try to use other impairment codes first? Unless the condition that prompted the knee replacement has been resolved, then you would want to code that diagnosis first.
Postimmunization arthropathy, left knee Post-immunization arthropathy of left knee; Postimmunization arthropathy of left knee ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M02.161 [convert to ICD-9-CM] Postdysenteric arthropathy, right knee
Z96. 651 - Presence of right artificial knee joint. ICD-10-CM.
ICD-10 code Z47. 1 for Aftercare following joint replacement surgery is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Factors influencing health status and contact with health services .
ICD-10-CM Code for Encounter for other orthopedic aftercare Z47. 89.
ICD-10 code Z98. 890 for Other specified postprocedural states is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Factors influencing health status and contact with health services .
812 for Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on the circulatory system is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Factors influencing health status and contact with health services .
For example, if a patient with severe degenerative osteoarthritis of the hip, underwent hip replacement and the current encounter/admission is for rehabilitation, report code Z47. 1, Aftercare following joint replacement surgery, as the first-listed or principal diagnosis.
Avoid activities and exercise that cause joint pain. You may need to see a physical or occupational therapist. These therapists teach you how to safely move with your new joint. They teach you activities and exercises that help make your bones and muscles stronger.
Since the osteoarthritis was said to be localized to the knee that was replaced, it is a resolved condition and thus is not coded. The presence of the artificial knee is also captured, with Z96. 652. In ICD-9, codes for this scenario would be assigned in the following order: V54.
ICD-10 code G89. 29 for Other chronic pain is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Diseases of the nervous system .
Z98. 890 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM Z98. 890 became effective on October 1, 2021.
Total knee replacement is classified to code 81.54 and involves replacing the articular surfaces of the femoral condyles, tibial plateau, and patella.
The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM Z96.651 became effective on October 1, 2021.
Z77-Z99 Persons with potential health hazards related to family and personal history and certain conditions influencing health status
M25.66 – Stiffness of knee, not elsewhere classified
97110 – Therapeutic exercises to develop strength and endurance, range of motion, and flexibility.
There is no specific code for open lysis of adhesions of knee. The related codes are,
So you would not have a "diagnosis" code for post operative care. For post op due to joint replacement due to having had osteoarthritis in that joint. You will not code the osteoarthritis, you. Use the Z code for aftercare ...
Z Codes are "Reason for Encounter Codes," not Diagnosis Codes. If used for Orthopedic Aftercare for Non-Traumatic Orthopedic problems, then somewhere there is a M Code for the Orthopedic Disorder being treated, and for which the patient is being seen on follow up and with X-rays. This should be listed and augmented/supplemented with the most specific Z Code.#N#Respectfully submitted, Alan Pechacek, M.D.
If this is post op due to injury/trauma, then you do not use Z codes for aftercare. If it was a non injury related condition, then the Z 47.89 can stand alone if no other specific Z code applies.
mitchellde. There is not necessarily an M code for post op if the condition no longer exists to due being surgically corrected. You cannot use the pre operative condition for post operative encounters. That is why the Z codes are indicating postoperative status due to the patient no longer having the problem.
Remember, there are a number of orthopedic aftercare codes for specific surgeries—all of which you can find in the ICD-10 tabular list under Z47, Orthopedic aftercare.
Z codes also apply to post-op care when the condition that precipitated the surgery no longer exists —but the patient still requires therapeutic care to return to a healthy level of function. In situations like these, ICD-10 provides a few coding options, including:
For example, if you were treating a patient who had a total knee replacement, you would want to submit Z47.1, Aftercare following joint replacement surgery, as well as Z96.651 (to indicate that the joint replaced was the knee). Taking this one step further, let’s say the patient was receiving treatment for gait abnormality following a total knee replacement of the right knee due to osteoarthritis in that knee. Let’s also assume that, as a result of the surgery, the patient is no longer suffering from osteoarthritis. The appropriate codes for this scenario, according to this presentation, would be:
If the line between acceptable and unacceptable uses of aftercare codes still seems a bit fuzzy, just remember that in most cases, you should only use aftercare codes if there’s no other way for you to express that a patient is on the “after” side of an aforementioned “before-and-after” event.
ICD-10 introduced the seventh character to streamline the way providers denote different encounter types—namely, those in volving active treatment versus those involving subsequent care. However, not all ICD-10 diagnosis codes include the option to add a seventh character. For example, most of the codes contained in chapter 13 of the tabular list (a.k.a. the musculoskeletal chapter) do not allow for seventh characters. And that makes sense considering that most of those codes represent conditions—including bone, joint, or muscle conditions that are recurrent or resulting from a healed injury—for which therapy treatment does progress in the same way it does for acute injuries.
In situations where it’s appropriate to use Z codes, “aftercare codes are generally the first listed diagnosis,” Gray writes. However, that doesn’t mean the Z code should be the only diagnosis code listed for that patient.
In situations where it’s appropriate to use Z codes, aftercare codes may be listed as the primary diagnosis—but that doesn’t mean the Z code should be the only diagnosis code listed for that patient. In fact, you should submit secondary codes—including other Z codes—when they can help you fully describe the patient’s situation in the most specific way possible.
Now, let’s address coding open knee procedures, as well as non-operative services, including injections and fracture care.#N#Open Procedures#N#There is a wide range of CPT® codes (27301-27599) that covers the gamut of open knee services, such as incision, excision, repair/revision/reconstruction, fracture/dislocation treatment, etc.#N#Manipulation of the knee joint 27570 Manipulation of knee joint under general anesthesia (includes application of traction or other fixation devices) usually is bundled into a surgical procedure, and is rarely paid unless it’s done alone.#N#Because of the anticipated recovery time of a few days, total knee arthroplasty (TKA), 27447 Arthroplasty, knee, condyle and plateau; medial AND lateral compartments with or without patella resurfacing (total knee arthroplasty) is an inpatient procedure (POS 21). The most common diagnosis to justify a TKA is severe osteoarthritis (ICD-10 M17.- or ICD-9 715.26/715.36).#N#Know the Lingo#N#To verify TKA procedural notes, watch for words such as medial, lateral, patellofemoral, and tibial. Progress notes should confirm the osteoarthritis is so severe there is bone-on-bone encroachment. (Payers may want to see a copy of the dictated notes.)#N#For a TKA revision (27486 Revision of total knee arthroplasty, with or without allograft; 1 component and 27487 Revision of total knee arthroplasty, with or without allograft; femoral and entire tibial component ), watch for key words such as “removal and replacement of polyetheline liner” or “poly exchange,” and determine whether both the femoral and tibial components were removed. If only the liner was removed and replaced, report 27486 with modifier 52 Reduced services.#N#Don’t Get Tripped Up By Common Errors#N#A common error is failing to document or code a tendon transfer, which can be reported separately with 27396 Transplant or transfer (with muscle redirection or rerouting), thigh (eg, extensor to flexor); single tendon. The tendon repair codes also can easily be confused with 27437 Arthroplasty, patella; without prosthesis, which refers to a bone/joint repair rather than a tendon repair. This is a classic example of how important it is to read the entire report and to understand exactly what type of tissue is being repaired, as well as to account for all procedures performed during the operative session (some of which may not be included in a primary procedure and would not trigger National Correct Coding Initiative edits).#N#More Tricks of the Trade
Fracture/dislocation care coding (27500-27566) depends on the specific anatomic site, type of fracture, and approach (closed, open, percutaneous).
Coding for patella surgeries can be tricky. A relatively common procedure is a patellar tendon repair, coded as 27380 Suture of infrapatellar tendon; primary or 27381 Suture of infrapatellar tendon; secondary reconstruction, including fascial or tendon graft. The latter includes obtaining and using a fascia or tendon graft.
If the physician determines at such an encounter that the patient failed non-operative treatment (e.g., still experiencing pain caused by the fracture) and decides to perform surgery within 48 hours, you may report an E/M code with modifier 57 Decision for surgery appended.
Although nonsurgical, these treatments have a 90-day global period; therefore, any related office visits during this time are included in the treatment. These visits are reported using 99024 Postoperative follow-up visit, normally included in the surgical package, to indicate that an evaluation and management service was performed during a postoperative period for a reason (s) related to the original procedure, which is a zero-charge postoperative visit.
You might be able to report multiple units of 27403 Arthrotomy with meniscus repair, knee (possibly with modifier 59 Distinct procedural service/XS Separate structure) if the open meniscus repair is done on both the medial and lateral compartments. Check your specific payer’s guidelines, and be sure there is adequate supporting documentation in the operative note.