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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS61.021

S61.021

Billable

Laceration with foreign body of right thumb without damage to nail

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/24/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 S61.021 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of laceration with foreign body of right thumb without damage to nail.

Key Diagnostic Point:

S61.021 refers to a specific type of injury characterized by a laceration of the right thumb that includes a foreign body embedded within the wound, but does not involve any damage to the nail. This type of injury is common in various settings, particularly in industrial or home environments where sharp objects are prevalent. The presence of a foreign body complicates the injury, as it may lead to infection, delayed healing, or further tissue damage if not properly addressed. Clinicians must assess the extent of the laceration, the nature of the foreign body, and any associated injuries such as tendon or nerve damage. Treatment typically involves thorough cleaning of the wound, removal of the foreign body, and possibly suturing the laceration. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair damaged structures or to ensure complete removal of the foreign body. Accurate coding is essential for proper billing and to reflect the complexity of the injury, especially when additional procedures or complications arise.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Presence of foreign body complicates treatment and documentation.
  • Potential for associated injuries (tendons, nerves) requires thorough evaluation.
  • Need for precise anatomical coding (right thumb) adds complexity.
  • Differentiation from similar codes (e.g., laceration without foreign body) is necessary.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the foreign body and its removal.
  • Failure to document associated injuries (e.g., tendon or nerve damage).
  • Misclassification of the injury type (e.g., coding as S61.020).
  • Lack of clarity on the extent of the laceration.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed description of the injury, foreign body type, and treatment provided.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with hand injuries from accidents, industrial settings, or sports.

Billing Considerations

Ensure documentation includes mechanism of injury and any immediate interventions performed.

Orthopedic Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive assessment of any associated fractures or tendon injuries.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Surgical repair of lacerations involving deeper structures or foreign body removal.

Billing Considerations

Document any surgical findings and post-operative care instructions.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S61.021 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 guidelines, S61
  • 021 should be used when a patient presents with a laceration of the right thumb that includes a foreign body but does not involve damage to the nail
  • Coders must ensure that the documentation supports the presence of a foreign body and the specific location of the injury

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S61.021 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12001CPT Code

Simple repair of superficial wounds

Clinical Scenario

Used for repair of the laceration after foreign body removal.

Documentation Requirements

Document the size of the laceration and the method of repair.

Specialty Considerations

Orthopedic surgeons may need to document any additional procedures performed.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, such as distinguishing between lacerations with and without foreign bodies. This specificity aids in better tracking of injury types and treatment outcomes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, such as distinguishing between lacerations with and without foreign bodies. This specificity aids in better tracking of injury types and treatment outcomes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, such as distinguishing between lacerations with and without foreign bodies. This specificity aids in better tracking of injury types and treatment outcomes.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be documented for S61.021?

Documentation should include the mechanism of injury, details about the foreign body, the extent of the laceration, and any associated injuries or treatments provided.