Tick Removal ICD-10-CM Codes

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.

Before the patient avails of tick removal services and said services are coded, there must be a tick bite coded first to make sure that the documentation and tick removal billing process after the diagnosis is accurate and smooth.

Do note that, unlike other insect bites, you will need to use two diagnosis codes to ensure that you document insect bites, more specifically the tick bites, more accurately. The first code must pertain to the location of the bite, and the second must be the correct external cause code.  

Below are the commonly used diagnosis codes, which are needed prior to the tick removal process or tick removal procedure: 

For the location, here are some of your options:

• S70.361: Insect bite (nonvenomous), right thigh
• S70.362: Insect bite (nonvenomous), left thigh
• S70.369: Insect bite (nonvenomous), unspecified thigh
• S40.861: Insect bite (nonvenomous) of right upper arm
• S40.862: Insect bite (nonvenomous) of left upper arm
• S40.869: Insect bite (nonvenomous) of unspecified upper arm

There are more codes that contain the description insect bite (nonvenomous) with a location. You simply have to select which one matches the situation.

W57.xxxA: Bitten or stung by nonvenomous insect and other nonvenomous arthropods, initial encounter

This broad external cause code covers an initial insect bite or tick bite. It doesn't specify the type of insect or tick, making it a common choice for general tick bites.

Other related ICD-10 codes include W57.XXXD: Bitten or stung by nonvenomous insect and other nonvenomous arthropods, subsequent encounter and W57.XXXS: Bitten or stung by nonvenomous insect and other nonvenomous arthropods, sequela.

Should you need a specific code that matches the procedure, it's recommended that you use procedure CPT code 10120: simple incision and removal of the foreign body or 10121: medical procedure for removing a foreign body from beneath the skin. It is the code used for incision and removal of a foreign body, such as a tick, from subcutaneous tissues.

Which tick removal ICD codes are billable? 

The external cause code and more specific codes of the location ICD codes are billable. For example, S70:362A: Insect bite (nonvenomous), left thigh (initial encounter) is billable, but S70.362 is not billable.

Do keep in mind that 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 the healthcare provider doesn't come to a Lyme disease diagnosis and the condition is 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.

Synonyms include

• Tick extraction
• Tick bite treatment
• Removal of a tick
• Extraction of foreign body - tick
• Nonvenomous insect bite treatment