Genital Warts ICD 10 Code

Refresher: What are ICD-10 codes?

The ICD-10 is a classification system that has entered its 10th revision for various medical diseases [1]. The coding system is used for tracking trends in health throughout the US. Its primary goal is to simplify both diagnosis and billing systems for US healthcare organizations. More specially, US healthcare organizations use a modified version of the ICD-10 system, known as the ICD-10-CM (clinically modified) [2].

The ICD-10 has over 68,000 codes compared to just over 13,000 codes for the ICD-9, with new codes being added for the characterization of new diseases [3]. Having this many codes in the ICD-10 is advantageous for healthcare professionals and medical coders because it allows them to provide more details about medical conditions, including their severity, location, and complexity.

Disease terminology also became more consistent due to the ICD-10-CM system. Healthcare professionals in the US are required to classify infectious and parasitic diseases using codes A00 through B99. Below is a small example of code sets found in the ICD-10 system:

  • A00 through A09 are used for intestinal infectious diseases
  • A20 through A19 are used for tuberculosis
  • A50 through A64 are used for infections with a sexual mode of transmission
  • B20 is used for the human immunodeficiency virus
  • B35 through B49 are used for other viral diseases

Note that the ICD-10-PCS classification system is used for tracking health interventions by medical professionals [4]. It features over 87,000 codes and is only used for inpatient hospital settings in the US [5].

What is the ICD 10 code for Genital Warts?

For genital warts, the general ICD-10 code is A63.0 (anogenital venereal warts) and is applicable to anogenital warts due to the human papillomavirus (HPV) and condyloma acuminatum [6].

Genital Warts ICD 10 code: A63.0

Genital Warts ICD code A63.0 lookup

The ICD-10 classification list only contains one code for anogenital (venereal) warts. This code, A63.0, is specific to ICD-10-CM and can be used for reimbursement purposes. Other codes that may be applicable to A63.0 include A00 through B99 (certain infectious and parasitic diseases), A50 through A64 (infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission), and A63 (sexually transmitted diseases)

Studies show that genital warts are among the most common sexually transmitted infections in the US. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11 [7]. Genital warts can spread due to skin-to-skin contact, especially during sexual encounters. They can be present in clusters or separately and are mostly found in the genital or anal area.

Around 1 in 100 sexually active adults may have genital warts at any given time. Condoms can be used to lower one's chances of getting HPV and any associated diseases, such as genital warts. However, genital warts can infect skin that the condom does not cover. This means that the condom may not provide complete protection against genital warts.

An effective strategy for preventing genital warts is to be in a mutually monogamous relationship (with a sexual relationship that is excluded between the two individuals). Vaccinations are recommended for sexually active individuals to prevent cancer-causing infections and precancers. Most people living with genital warts do not know they have an infection.

They may never develop symptoms or health problems from the infection. The presence of genital warts is often used as an indication of HPV.

Patients with genital warts may notice the growth of lumps around the genital area, such as the penis, anus, or vagina, that did not exist before. These growths clump together and look like little pieces of cauliflower. The following symptoms are consistent with genital warts [8]:

  • Flesh-colored or grey growth around the anus, vagina, or upper thighs
  • Growths that bear an uncanny resemblance to cauliflowers
  • Internal growths
  • Itching or bleeding around the vagina or anus
  • Changes to the flow of urine
  • Mild bleeding
  • Burning sensation
  • Genital itching

Although there is no cure for genital warts, the diseases can still be treated. Although genital warts can be removed, the patient will still have the human papillomavirus that causes them. Genital warts are not dangerous or life-threatening. However, untreated genital warts can grow larger, bleed, and cause itching. In rare cases, genital warts can result in cancer.

One study found that genital warts are benign and not associated with mortality rates. It should be noted that genital warts are associated with HPV, which can coexist with various types of cancers [9].

Doctors often diagnose genital warts by using one or more of the following tests:

  • Pap tests where a small sample of cells from the cervix are collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
  • Vinegar solution test that turns white when exposed to infected genital areas.

Warts can go away without treatment. However, medication can be used to eliminate warts to eliminate the lesions directly. Examples include over-the-counter treatments that contain salicylic acid and imiquimod. Another popular topical prescription is podofilox which destroys genital wart tissue.

When medications fail to work, doctors may recommend the removal of warts using the following methods:

  • Freezing genital warts using cryotherapy
  • Burning genital warts using an electrical current
  • Surgical removal of the genital warts
  • Laser surgery

After the genital warts are removed, the patient is required to keep the area clean and to not scratch it. The hands must be washed after touching the area that had the warts.

Types of Genital Warts coded under A63.0

The ICD 10 code A63.0 does not specify the subtype of anogenital (venereal) warts. An A63.0 code is associated with the following synonyms for genital wart:

  • Giant acuminatum wart
  • Anal wart
  • Anal warts
  • Anogenital verrucous carcinoma
  • Condyloma acuminata of the vagina
  • Condyloma acuminata of the cervix
  • Condyloma acuminata of the vulva
  • Condyloma acuminata of the vulva in childbirth
  • Condyloma acuminata of the vulva in pregnancy
  • Condyloma of the vulva in pregnancy
  • Condylomata lata of the penis
  • Genital warts
  • Human papilloma virus infection
  • Postpartum (after childbirth) vulvar condyloma
  • Postpartum vulvar condyloma
  • Urethral wart
  • Vulvar condyloma in pregnancy, unspecified trimester
  • Vulvar condyloma in childbirth
  • Wart of the penis
  • Wart of the vagina
  • Wart of the urethra
  • Wart of the vulva
  • Wart, genital
  • Wart, cervical

In other words, Condyloma acuminata of the vulva in pregnancy ICD 10, Condyloma acuminata of the vulva in childbirth ICD 10, and Postpartum (after childbirth) vulvar condyloma ICD 10 codes could all be A63.0 if they are determined to be genital warts. As a concrete example, a patient diagnosed with a urethral wart would be coded with A63.0.

A side-to-side comparison of the ICD-10 and ICD-9 shows many differences. The ICD-10 allows for more details and specificity, which is useful in measuring and tacking healthcare and the quality of patient care. The biggest benefit of the ICD-10 is that it can provide accurate information to healthcare providers, which can allow them to administer more effective treatments for medical diseases.

Physicians are required to capture as much data as possible in the patient record to help coders choose the right ICD-10 code for the diseases. The higher accuracy will allow for superior healthcare outcomes for patients.

One of the aims of the ICD-10 is to make the storage and tracking of medical histories easier. This allows physicians to know if the patient has genital warts or some other type of sexually transmitted disease.

The ICD-10 classification system isn't without its advantages. Healthcare organizations in the US may have to spend considerable resources in upgrading their infrastructure from ICD-9 to ICD-10. It doesn't help that service providers often charge a premium for updating the systems. Not to mention the fact that it may take longer for the updates to be implemented and for systems to be back online. This will result in lower productivity while the updates are running.

In addition, healthcare organizations and medical coders are required to upgrade their certifications so they can properly use ICD-10-CM systems. This would require every medical professional to spend time and money attending classes and seminars. Taking an exam for the ICD-10 itself can be an expensive endeavor.

Other sexually transmitted diseases excluded from ICD-10 A63.0

The following sexually transmitted diseases are excluded from the ICD-10 A63.0 code:

  • A63.8: Other specified predominantly sexually transmitted diseases

It excludes molluscum contagiosum (B08.1) and papilloma of the cervix (D26.0).

Conclusion

Genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the world. It is coded under ICD-10 A63.0 and is used to provide detailed diagnostics of anogenital verrucous carcinoma.

Please note that the information provided so far is only meant to be used for reference purposes and does not replace a medical professional's advice. If you believe you have genital warts or HPV, please consult a healthcare professional. You can also direct any questions you have about A63.0 to a healthcare professional.

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