Coding Diabetic Blisters

1. Coding Diabetic Blisters Summary To report diabetic blisters on claims, physicians’ practices and medical coding companies need to be up to date about the specific ICD-10 codes to use. Address, 8596 E. 101st Street, Suite H www.outsourcestrategies.com (800) 670-2809 Tulsa, OK 74133

2. Also referred to as bullosisdiabeticorum or diabetic bullae, diabetic blisters are a skin disorder tend to occur mostly in people who do not control blood sugar well. The condition can affect many parts of the body, including the skin. Such skin problems are in most cases the first warning signs that a person has diabetes. To report diagnoses and treatment procedures in medical claims, diabetologists or other physicians mostly rely on experienced medical billingcompanies that can easily and correctly manage the coding and claim submission processes. ICD-10 Codes for Diabetic Blisters •S90.82 – Blister (nonthermal) of foot oS90.821 – Blister (nonthermal), right foot ▪S90.821A – Blister (nonthermal), right foot, initial encounter ▪S90.821D – Blister (nonthermal), right foot, subsequent encounter ▪S90.821S – Blister (nonthermal), right foot, sequela oS90.822 – Blister (nonthermal), left foot ▪S90.822A – Blister (nonthermal), left foot, initial encounter ▪S90.822D – Blister (nonthermal), left foot, subsequent encounter ▪S90.822S – Blister (nonthermal), left foot, sequela oS90.829 – Blister (nonthermal), unspecified foot ▪S90.829A – Blister (nonthermal), unspecified foot, initial encounter ▪S90.829D – Blister (nonthermal), unspecified foot, subsequent encounter ▪S90.829S – Blister (nonthermal), unspecified foot, sequel Diabetic blisters often occur in people with severe diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. Peripheral artery disease and sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light is also thought to play a role.These blisters most often appear on the legs, feet, and toes, and less frequently, on the hands, fingers, and arms. They are usually clear bumps that have an irregular shape and in most cases, heal in two to five weeks without intervention. Treatments include saline compresses, bandaging, aspiration, and topical antibiotics or steroids. Professional medical coding companies stay up to date with changing ICD and CPT codes and guidelines, and can help physicians submit accurate claims. www.outsourcestrategies.com (800) 670-2809