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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesH11.059

H11.059

Billable

Peripheral pterygium, progressive, unspecified eye

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/06/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 H11.059 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of peripheral pterygium, progressive, unspecified eye.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Peripheral pterygium is a benign growth of conjunctival tissue that extends onto the cornea, typically originating from the nasal or temporal conjunctiva. It is characterized by a triangular-shaped fibrovascular tissue that can progressively invade the cornea, leading to potential visual impairment. The condition is often associated with environmental factors such as UV exposure, chronic irritation, and dry eye syndrome. Clinically, patients may present with symptoms of irritation, redness, and foreign body sensation, although some may remain asymptomatic. The anatomy involved includes the conjunctiva, cornea, and potentially the sclera if the pterygium progresses significantly. Disease progression can lead to astigmatism and visual distortion due to corneal irregularities. Diagnostic considerations include a thorough ocular examination, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and possibly imaging studies to assess the extent of corneal involvement. Treatment options vary from observation in asymptomatic cases to surgical excision in progressive or symptomatic cases, with postoperative care focusing on preventing recurrence.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Diagnostic complexity
  • Treatment complexity
  • Documentation requirements
  • Coding specificity

Audit Risk Factors

  • Common coding errors
  • Documentation gaps
  • Billing challenges

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Ophthalmology

Documentation Requirements

Standard ICD-10-CM documentation requirements apply

Common Clinical Scenarios

Various clinical presentations within this specialty area

Billing Considerations

Follow specialty-specific billing guidelines

Optometry

Documentation Requirements

Standard ICD-10-CM documentation requirements apply

Common Clinical Scenarios

Various clinical presentations within this specialty area

Billing Considerations

Follow specialty-specific billing guidelines

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

Peripheral pterygium can significantly impact quality of life due to visual disturbances and discomfort. Its prevalence is higher in populations with increased sun exposure, making it a public health concern in certain geographic areas. Understanding the epidemiology of pterygium can aid in preventive strategies and healthcare resource allocation, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare utilization.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

Peripheral pterygium can significantly impact quality of life due to visual disturbances and discomfort. Its prevalence is higher in populations with increased sun exposure, making it a public health concern in certain geographic areas. Understanding the epidemiology of pterygium can aid in preventive strategies and healthcare resource allocation, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare utilization.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

Reimbursement considerations include verifying the medical necessity of surgical intervention if performed. Common denials may arise from insufficient documentation or lack of clear justification for the procedure. Best practices include maintaining thorough clinical notes, ensuring accurate coding of the diagnosis, and providing clear rationale for any surgical procedures performed.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10 Official Guidelines for H00-H99
  • •
    Clinical Documentation Requirements

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10 Official Guidelines for H00-H99
  • •
    Clinical Documentation Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific conditions are covered by H11.059?

H11.059 covers progressive peripheral pterygium that is unspecified, meaning it does not specify laterality or whether it is recurrent. It includes cases where the pterygium is not clearly defined as affecting the right or left eye.

When should H11.059 be used instead of related codes?

H11.059 should be used when the pterygium is progressive and unspecified, particularly when the clinician cannot determine the laterality or when the condition does not fit the criteria for other specific pterygium codes.

What documentation supports H11.059?

Documentation should include a detailed ocular examination report, noting the presence and characteristics of the pterygium, any symptoms reported by the patient, and the clinical rationale for the diagnosis and treatment plan.