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ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesTinea Pedis

Tinea Pedis

ICD-10 Coding for Athlete's Foot(B35.3)

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

Diagnosis Overview

What is Tinea Pedis?
Essential facts and insights about Athlete's Foot

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Presence of itching, burning, or stinging sensations on the feet, particularly between the toes and on the soles.
  • Laboratory findings may include positive KOH (potassium hydroxide) preparation showing fungal hyphae or spores.
  • Physical examination may reveal erythema, scaling, and fissuring of the skin, particularly in the interdigital spaces.
  • Imaging is typically not required for diagnosis; however, in severe cases, secondary bacterial infections may be assessed.
  • Severity can be classified as mild (localized), moderate (extensive), or severe (associated with secondary infections or significant discomfort).

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Document the patient's symptoms, duration, and location of lesions.
  • Use specific terminology such as 'tinea pedis' or 'athlete's foot' in the medical record.
  • Examples include: 'Patient presents with pruritic lesions between the 3rd and 4th toes consistent with tinea pedis.'
  • Medical necessity must be established, including the need for antifungal treatment or further diagnostic testing.
  • Quality measures may include documentation of treatment response and follow-up care.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use this diagnosis code when a patient presents with classic symptoms of athlete's foot confirmed by clinical examination.
  • Do not use this code for non-fungal foot conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, as they require different management.
  • Related codes include B35.2 (Tinea corporis) and B35.4 (Tinea cruris), which may be relevant if multiple sites are involved.
  • Common errors include misclassifying tinea pedis as a bacterial infection; ensure fungal cultures are obtained when necessary.
  • In complex cases, consider co-existing conditions like diabetes or immunocompromised states that may affect treatment.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excludes conditions such as bacterial foot infections (e.g., cellulitis) and non-fungal dermatitis.
  • Alternative codes for excluded conditions include L03.90 (Cellulitis, unspecified) for bacterial infections.
  • Conditions are excluded due to differing etiologies and treatment protocols.
  • Common mistakes include coding tinea pedis when the primary issue is a different dermatological condition.
  • Related but distinct conditions include onychomycosis (nail fungus) which has its own coding.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
B35.3
Tinea pedis (Athlete's foot)
B35.2
Tinea corporis (ringworm)
Ancillary Codes
E11.40
L03.119
Differential Codes
L30.3
L25.9

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Podiatry

Specialty Applications

  • Applies to patients with confirmed fungal infections of the feet.
  • Common in athletes, individuals with diabetes, and those with compromised immune systems.
  • Clinical settings include outpatient clinics, urgent care, and dermatology practices.
  • Podiatry specialists frequently manage this condition due to its impact on foot health.
  • Treatment contexts include topical antifungal therapy and education on foot hygiene.

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

Template 1

Template: 'Patient diagnosed with tinea pedis based on clinical findings of itching and scaling between toes.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with athlete's foot including erythema and fissuring.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria met as evidenced by positive KOH preparation showing fungal elements.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for tinea pedis with topical antifungal therapy prescribed.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for athlete's foot including monitoring for treatment response and recurrence prevention.'

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

What documentation is required for this diagnosis?

Detailed documentation of symptoms, clinical findings, and treatment plans is essential.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Tinea pedis is specifically a fungal infection of the feet, while conditions like eczema are inflammatory.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that the diagnosis is clearly linked to the treatment provided to optimize reimbursement.

What procedures are typically associated?

Commonly associated CPT codes include 11720 for nail debridement if nails are involved.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include tracking treatment outcomes and patient education on prevention.