AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2016 Issue 4; ICD-10-CM NEW/REVISED CODES
Atypical Femoral Fractures
New codes at subcategory M84.75, Atypical femoral fracture, have been created to identify atypical femoral fractures. The new codes distinguish between whether the fracture is: incomplete or complete and whether the complete fracture is transverse or oblique. Seventh characters are required for atypical femoral fractures to indicate: initial encounter, subsequent encounter (with routine healing, with delayed healing, with nonunion, or with malunion) or sequela. The entire term “atypical femoral fracture” must be explicitly documented in order to assign a code from subcategory M84.75. Atypical femoral fractures are a form of stress fracture that is associated with...
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Article Overview
This article covers ICD-10-CM guidance for atypical femoral fractures and explains the documentation elements needed to support code assignment. It also reviews the general clinical characteristics of these fractures and notes when additional diagnosis codes may be associated with long-term medication use. The content is intended for coding professionals, CDI teams, and clinicians documenting fracture details.
Why This Topic Matters
Atypical femoral fractures are a specialized diagnosis with documentation-specific coding requirements. Understanding the scope of the guidance helps coders and documentation specialists identify when the record supports the fracture category and when related secondary coding may be relevant.
What You Will Learn
- How atypical femoral fractures are categorized for coding purposes
- What documentation elements are emphasized for this diagnosis
- Which general fracture characteristics are discussed in relation to the topic
- How the article frames related coding considerations for long-term medication use
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Clinical documentation improvement specialists
- Orthopedic documentation staff
- Physicians and other documenting clinicians
Codes Discussed
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