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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS41.121

S41.121

Billable

Laceration with foreign body of right upper arm

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S41.121 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of laceration with foreign body of right upper arm.

Key Diagnostic Point:

S41.121 refers to a laceration of the right upper arm that is complicated by the presence of a foreign body. This condition typically arises from traumatic injuries, such as accidents involving sharp objects or penetrating injuries. The laceration may involve the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and potentially deeper structures, including muscles and nerves. The presence of a foreign body can complicate the healing process, increase the risk of infection, and necessitate surgical intervention for removal. Clinical management may involve thorough cleaning of the wound, assessment of the extent of tissue damage, and possibly surgical repair or debridement. Accurate coding of this condition is crucial for appropriate treatment planning and reimbursement, as it reflects the complexity of the injury and the potential need for specialized care. Documentation should detail the nature of the laceration, the type of foreign body involved, and any associated injuries to ensure comprehensive coding.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Presence of foreign body complicates the injury.
  • Potential for associated injuries (e.g., nerve or vascular damage).
  • Need for detailed documentation of the laceration's extent.
  • Variability in treatment approaches based on injury severity.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the foreign body type.
  • Failure to document associated injuries.
  • Misclassification of the laceration severity.
  • Inconsistent coding of related procedures.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Orthopedic Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed operative notes, including the type of foreign body and surgical techniques used.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Surgical repair of lacerations with foreign bodies, management of associated fractures.

Billing Considerations

Ensure documentation reflects the complexity of the injury and any additional procedures performed.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive assessment notes, including mechanism of injury and initial treatment provided.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Initial evaluation and stabilization of patients with traumatic lacerations.

Billing Considerations

Accurate documentation of the injury mechanism and any immediate interventions is critical.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S41.121 When
  • Follow official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the code accurately reflects the diagnosis and any associated conditions
  • Include documentation of the foreign body and any surgical interventions performed

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S41.121 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12002CPT Code

Simple repair of laceration, face, ears, eyelids, scalp, neck

Clinical Scenario

Used for simple repair of lacerations in the upper arm area.

Documentation Requirements

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

Specialty Considerations

Orthopedic surgeons should detail the extent of the injury and any foreign body removal.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including those with foreign bodies, which enhances the accuracy of patient records and reimbursement processes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including those with foreign bodies, which enhances the accuracy of patient records and reimbursement processes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes.

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 significance of coding S41.121 accurately?

Accurate coding of S41.121 is crucial for appropriate treatment planning, reimbursement, and tracking of injury patterns. It reflects the complexity of the injury and the potential need for specialized care.