ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAnkyloglossia

Ankyloglossia

ICD-10 Coding for Tongue-tie(Q38.1)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYPediatrics
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Ankyloglossia?
Essential facts and insights about Tongue-tie

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Restricted tongue movement affecting feeding and speech
  • Observation of tongue-tie during oral examination
  • Presence of a thick or short frenulum

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Patient history including feeding difficulties and speech issues
  • Use of terms like 'ankyloglossia' or 'tongue-tie'
  • Examples of documentation: 'Patient exhibits limited tongue mobility impacting breastfeeding.'

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Follow guidelines for coding congenital conditions.
  • Common errors include misclassifying severity or omitting related symptoms.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Other oral frenulum conditions
  • Conditions affecting speech unrelated to tongue mobility

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
Q38.1
Ankyloglossia
Ancillary Codes
R63.3
F80.0
P92.5
Differential Codes
Q38.3
K14.8

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Pediatrics

Specialty Applications

  • Infants and children with feeding or speech difficulties
  • Pediatric clinics and ENT specialists

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Document the impact on feeding and speech, along with physical exam findings.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect the severity and impact on patient care.