Tick Removal ICD-10-CM Codes
Explore the essential ICD-10 codes used for tick removal, their clinical significance, and how they contribute to tracking diseases and tailoring patient care.
Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.
What ICD-10 Codes are Used for Tick Removal?
Ticks are small, blood-sucking parasites that can transmit diseases to humans. When a tick bites a person, it may need to be professionally removed to ensure that no parts of the tick remain embedded in the skin. In the medical world, specific ICD-10 codes document this procedure for billing and statistical purposes. Below are some of the most commonly used codes:
- A84.9 - This code represents 'Tick-borne viral encephalitis, unspecified.' It's typically used when there is a confirmed tick-borne illness diagnosis, but the specific type of illness isn't identified.
- W57.xxxA - This broad code covers bites from insects or ticks. It doesn't specify the type of insect or tick, making it a common choice for general tick bites.
- 919.4 - This is another general code used for tick bites. It's often used when a patient seeks treatment for a tick bite without apparent complications.
- 10120 - This code is used for the incision and removal of a foreign body, such as a tick, from subcutaneous tissues. It's used when a health professional needs to make an incision to remove the tick.
- S40.861A - This code signifies an initial encounter for a nonvenomous insect bite on the right upper arm. This code would be appropriate if the tick bite occurred on the right upper arm.
- S00.469D - This is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. It's used when a patient has an insect bite (nonvenomous) of an unspecified part of the head, subsequent encounter.
Which Tick Removal ICD codes are Billable?
All the mentioned ICD-10 codes are billable. However, the specific circumstances of the patient's condition and the insurance provider's policies will determine whether a particular code is reimbursed.
Clinical Information
- Tick-borne diseases are medical conditions transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. Depending on the specific disease, they can cause various symptoms and health problems.
- Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-borne illnesses. It begins with flu-like symptoms and a distinctive circular rash. Still, if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including nerve pain, heart rhythm issues, and brain or spinal cord inflammation.
- Another significant tick-borne disease is Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Although less common than Lyme disease, it can be severe, causing high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, and rash. Without prompt treatment, it could be fatal.
- Babesiosis is a less-known but equally dangerous disease caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells. Most people who have babesiosis do not have any symptoms. Still, some people develop flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, or fatigue.
- The severity of tick-borne diseases can vary greatly depending on the individual's overall health, the type of tick, and how quickly treatment is initiated after the bite. Sometimes, these diseases can lead to long-term health problems if not treated promptly and properly.
- Prevention is key when it comes to tick-borne diseases. This includes using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing when in tick-infested areas, and checking your body thoroughly for ticks after being outdoors.
- If a tick has bitten you, removing it promptly and correctly is crucial to reduce the chance of disease transmission. Monitor the bite site for changes over the following weeks and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.
Synonyms Include
- Tick extraction
- Tick bite treatment
- Removal of tick
- Extraction of foreign body - tick
- Insect bite treatment
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Commonly asked questions
A tick removal ICD code should be used whenever a healthcare provider removes a tick from a patient. This includes both simple tick removals and those that require an incision.
Common treatments include:
- Physically hygienically removing the tick.
- Treating related symptoms such as rash or fever, and in some cases.
- Prescribing antibiotics to prevent tick-borne diseases.
A diagnosis code for tick removal provides specific information about the patient's condition, such as the type of tick-borne disease or the location of the tick bite. This information is used for billing purposes and to track and analyze disease prevalence.
