2025 ICD-10-CM code S20.373S

Sequela of other superficial bite of the bilateral front wall of the thorax.

Follow all official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines.Use additional codes as needed to fully capture the patient's condition. Secondary codes from Chapter 20 (External causes of morbidity) are often required to identify the cause of the injury (e.g., dog bite, insect bite).

Modifiers might be applicable depending on the circumstances of the encounter and the services provided.Consult the current guidelines for the correct application.

Medical necessity for coding S20.373S is established by the presence of documented sequelae from a previous superficial bite injury to the bilateral front chest wall.The documentation must show that the patient's symptoms directly result from the healed injury and justify the medical intervention (e.g., pain management, physical therapy).

The clinical responsibility depends on the setting and the patient's condition. It could involve a physician specializing in emergency medicine, family medicine, or dermatology, along with other relevant medical professionals based on the severity and associated complications.

IMPORTANT Consider additional codes from Chapter 20 (External causes of morbidity) to specify the cause of the bite.If a foreign body remains, code Z18.- should also be used.

In simple words: This code is for long-term problems from a minor bite on both sides of the front of the chest. The bite wasn't serious, and this code is used when the person is still experiencing problems from it long after the bite happened.

This ICD-10-CM code classifies the sequela (late effect) of a superficial bite affecting both sides of the anterior chest wall.The injury is not deep, involving only the superficial layers of the skin and possibly underlying tissue.It's considered a sequela, indicating that the injury occurred in the past and the patient is now experiencing lingering effects.

Example 1: A patient presents to the emergency room several weeks after a dog bite to the anterior chest wall. The wound has healed, but the patient experiences persistent numbness and discomfort at the site.S20.373S is used to indicate the sequela., A patient is seen in a follow-up appointment months after an insect bite to the chest. The initial bite was minor and healed without complication, but the patient now exhibits scarring and chronic localized itching. S20.373S is appropriate., A patient, previously treated for a superficial bite to the bilateral front chest wall, reports persistent pain and limited range of motion in the area. This code is used to indicate the continuing impact of the healed injury.

Detailed description of the original bite injury (location, mechanism, date), including any treatment received.Documentation of the sequelae (e.g., persistent pain, numbness, scarring, functional impairment) should be clearly noted in the medical record.Images (if available) are helpful.

** This code is specifically for sequelae (late effects) of a superficial injury.If the injury is acute or the patient is experiencing the initial injury, a different code would be necessary.

  • Payment Status: Active
  • Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
  • Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Dermatology
  • Place of Service:Office, Emergency Room - Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, other relevant places of service.
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