ICD 10 Codes for Acne

Although acne is one of the most common skin conditions amongst teenagers, it can affect people of all ages. A chronic, inflammatory condition of the skin, acne causes pimples and spots, with upper arms, neck, chest, back, shoulders and face the most commonly affected areas. Commonly occurring during puberty; it affects nearly 85% of people between 12 and 24 years of age in the US.

Let us understand what causes acne? Follicles connect pores in the skin to oil glands under the skin. Sebum produced by these glands carries dead skin cells to the surface of the skin through the follicles. Hair on the skin also grows through the follicle. If the follicle gets blocked, there is a buildup of the oil under the skin which causes the dead cells, sebum and hair to form into a plug. When this clump of dead cells, hair and sebum gets infected with bacteria, it results in a swelling on the skin surface. As the plug starts to break down, a pimple develops. The bacterium responsible for this infection is Propionibacterium acnes. However, not all strains of bacterium trigger the onslaught of pimples.

A rise in androgen levels is one of the main causes that trigger acne. Other possible triggers could be genetic factors, certain medications, hormonal changes, menstruation, emotional stress and also oily cosmetics.

Acne is one of the problems that are treated extensively with home and self care remedies. From various masks made in the kitchen to over the counter medication, people have tried all sorts of remedies to cure acne. While mild cases can be treated in this manner, for moderate and severe acne, it is best to visit a dermatologist.

ICD 10 Code for Acne

While, acne does not cause any life threatening problems, its appearance can cause problems like anxiety about their looks, leading to low self esteem and depression. With such a large percentage of the population affected by acne, a dermatologist can expect numerous patients coming for treatment. To ensure that the practice gets its dues, it is very important to know the correct acne ICD 10 codes.

Under the ICD 9 system, a large number of dermatology claims would be rejected due to lack of specifics. This has been rectified in ICD 10 which provides eight codes to describe different acne conditions.

The order of listing for ICD 10 codes for acne is – L00-L99 Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue › L60-L75 Disorders of skin appendages › L70- Acne. The detailed acne ICD 10 code breakup is as follows:

Dermatology Billing with MedConverge

While acne may not be a critical problem, not getting your dues for its treatment definitely is. Claims with the wrong ICD 10 codes for acne can lead to delays or rejections. Our certified coders will check and re-check your documentation to ensure that the highest degree of specificity is used in the coding for the specified type of acne. With MedConverge, you can be sure that your billing will be blemish free – much like the patients skin after your successful treatment for their acne.

References

1. Common ICD-10 Codes for Dermatology. (2018). Retrieved August 08, 2018, from www.icdcodelookup.com: https://icdcodelookup.com/icd-10/common-codes/dermatology
2. ICD-10-CM Code L70.0. (2018). Retrieved August 08, 2018, from www.icd.codes: https://icd.codes/icd10cm/L700
3. Nordqvist, C. (2017, November 27). What you need to know about acne. Retrieved August 08, 2018, from www.medicalnewstoday.com: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/107146.php