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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS61.351

S61.351

Billable

Open bite of left index finger with damage to nail

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S61.351 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of open bite of left index finger with damage to nail.

Key Diagnostic Point:

An open bite of the left index finger with damage to the nail typically occurs due to a traumatic incident where the finger is bitten by an animal or during an accident involving a sharp object. This injury can lead to significant soft tissue damage, including laceration of the skin, exposure of underlying structures, and potential infection. The nail may be partially or completely avulsed, which can complicate healing and may require surgical intervention. The injury can also affect the tendons and nerves in the finger, leading to functional impairment. Proper assessment and management are crucial to prevent complications such as infection, scarring, and loss of function. Treatment may involve wound cleaning, suturing, and possibly surgical repair of damaged tendons or nerves, depending on the severity of the injury. Rehabilitation may be necessary to restore full function of the finger post-injury.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Involvement of multiple anatomical structures (skin, nail, tendons, nerves)
  • Potential for surgical intervention
  • Risk of complications such as infection
  • Need for detailed documentation of injury severity

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the mechanism of injury
  • Failure to document associated injuries (e.g., tendon or nerve damage)
  • Misclassification of the injury type (open vs. closed)
  • Lack of follow-up documentation on treatment outcomes

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Orthopedic Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed operative notes, imaging studies, and follow-up assessments.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Fractures or tendon injuries following an open bite, surgical repair of damaged structures.

Billing Considerations

Ensure clear documentation of any surgical interventions and post-operative care.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive assessment of the injury, including mechanism, extent of damage, and initial treatment provided.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Initial evaluation and management of open bites, wound care, and referral for surgical intervention.

Billing Considerations

Document all findings and treatments to support coding for potential surgical follow-up.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S61.351 When
  • Follow ICD
  • CM guidelines for coding injuries, ensuring specificity in the documentation of the injury type, location, and any associated complications
  • Include details on the mechanism of injury and treatment provided

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S61.351 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12001CPT Code

Simple repair of superficial wounds

Clinical Scenario

Used for initial treatment of the open bite injury.

Documentation Requirements

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

Specialty Considerations

Orthopedic surgeons may need to provide additional details on tendon repair if applicable.

26300CPT Code

Surgical repair of nail bed

Clinical Scenario

Used if the nail bed is damaged and requires surgical intervention.

Documentation Requirements

Document the extent of nail damage and the surgical technique used.

Specialty Considerations

Ensure clear documentation of the surgical procedure and post-operative care.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding injuries, including open bites. This specificity helps in better tracking of injury types and outcomes, which can improve patient care and resource allocation.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding injuries, including open bites. This specificity helps in better tracking of injury types and outcomes, which can improve patient care and resource allocation.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding injuries, including open bites. This specificity helps in better tracking of injury types and outcomes, which can improve patient care and resource allocation.

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 is the primary treatment for an open bite injury?

The primary treatment involves cleaning the wound, assessing for damage to underlying structures, and possibly suturing the wound. Surgical intervention may be necessary if there is significant damage to tendons or nerves.

How can I differentiate between an open bite and a closed injury?

An open bite injury will present with a visible break in the skin, exposing underlying tissues, while a closed injury will have intact skin with possible internal damage.