AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2024 Issue 2; Ask the Editor

Painful Prominent Posterior Segmental Spinal Implants

A patient is admitted to undergo removal of posterior segmental spinal implants due to painful and prominent hardware extending from the cervical thoracic junction down to the thoracolumbar junction. During surgery, dissection was performed, and segmentation of the spine was confirmed. The dissection continued out over the implants and the bilateral fusion masses. Setscrews, connectors, proximal hooks and rods were removed. In ICD-10-CM, there is an Index entry at “Complication(s), orthopedic, device or implant, protrusion,” that leads to a mechanical complication code. However, there is no specific entry for “prominent.” Would a prominent internal fixation device be classified as a protrusion or as other complication? What is the correct ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for painful prominent spinal implants? ...

To read the full article, sign in and subscribe to AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS .

Thank you for choosing Find-A-Code, please Sign In to remove ads.