Question

In coding fracture care using ICD-10, the ___________ differentiates various outcomes, such as delayed healing, nonunion, or late effects.

Answer 1

Fracture Coding:

ICD-10-CM fracture codes provide greater specificity than ICD-9-CM.

For example, ICD-10-CM fracture codes can indicate the fracture type (e.g., greenstick, transverse, oblique, spiral, comminuted, segmental), specific anatomical site, whether the fracture is displaced or not, laterality, routine versus delayed healing, nonunions, and malunions. Laterality and type of encounter (initial, subsequent, sequela) are significant components of the code expansion.

In coding fracture care using ICD-10, the CM differentiates various outcomes, such as delayed healing, nonunion, or late effects.