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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesLeft Flank Pain

Left Flank Pain

ICD-10 Coding for Left Flank Pain(R10.812, N20.0)

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

Diagnosis Overview

What is Left Flank Pain?
Essential facts and insights about Left Flank Pain

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Unilateral pain in the left flank region, may radiate to the abdomen or groin
  • Urinalysis showing hematuria or signs of infection, imaging studies (CT scan, ultrasound) revealing renal stones or other abnormalities
  • Tenderness upon palpation of the left flank, possible rebound tenderness, and guarding

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Patient's history of flank pain, duration, and associated symptoms (nausea, vomiting, fever)
  • Use of specific terms like 'left flank pain', 'renal colic', or 'nephrolithiasis'
  • Example: 'Patient presents with acute left flank pain, radiating to the groin, with associated hematuria on urinalysis.'

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Follow guidelines for coding flank pain versus renal colic to avoid upcoding.
  • Common errors include misclassifying flank pain as abdominal pain.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Conditions such as abdominal aortic aneurysm or pancreatitis that may mimic flank pain
  • Alternative codes for right flank pain or unspecified flank pain

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
R10.32
Left flank pain
N20.0
Calculus of kidney
Differential Codes
N20.0
R10.812

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Emergency Medicine

Specialty Applications

  • Adults and children presenting with acute flank pain in emergency settings
  • Emergency departments, urgent care facilities, and outpatient clinics

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?

Include detailed history, physical exam findings, and results of diagnostic tests.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding based on the primary diagnosis and any secondary conditions.