Scleroderma ICD 10 Code

Refresher: What are ICD-10 codes?

ICD is a coding system used in the field of medicine and healthcare that was first developed in the 1850s. The initial version was known as the International List of Causes of Diseases. Later, the World Health Organization took responsibility for developing, modifying, and publishing the ICD list. With the passage of time, many different versions of ICD become available. ICD-9 emerged in 1979. After this, the most commonly used version, ICD-10, became available. ICD-10 refers to the International Classification of Diseases, the tenth revision, which is far better, more accurate, and more specific than its predecessors. This coding system is beneficial in classifying various procedures, symptoms, and diagnoses of many diseases.

While there were only 4,000 codes in the ICD-9 version, the ICD-10 version contains over 70,000 codes, each code specific to a certain disorder. ICD-10 has two versions: ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS. The CM version is used for coding procedures that are required in an inpatient setting. CM refers to Clinical Modification. On the other hand, the PCS codes are particularly used for statistics purposes and medical claims.

A code represents a disease, injury, symptom, or specific disorder. The codes are not randomly placed; rather, they are properly organized in sections, chapters, and subcategories. This systematic way of classification makes it easier to locate the code for disease. Apart from the healthcare professionals, it also facilitates research and analysis.

For every existing disease, there is an ICD-10 code available. Systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma, is a rheumatic disease that causes inflammation of the skin. It has various types, with each one having its specific ICD-10 code. The following article will cover all the ICD-10 codes related to scleroderma.

What is the ICD 10 code for scleroderma?

M34 is the ICD-10 code for scleroderma. Also known as systemic sclerosis, scleroderma has further subtypes as well that are also categorized under this code. However, two of the scleroderma disorders, neonatal scleroderma and Circumscribed scleroderma, are excluded from this category.

Scleroderma ICD 10 code: M34

Scleroderma ICD 10 code M34 lookup

Scleroderma is a disorder of the skin with its own code category in ICD-10. It is given the code M34. Scleroderma also has its types that are also kept under the code M34. All the types of scleroderma are mentioned with their codes in the tabular form below: [1]

M34: Scleroderma

Types of scleroderma coded under M34

There are five subtypes of scleroderma that have been coded under M34. One of these subtypes is further categorized into four different types. Here are the types of scleroderma coded under M34:

• Progressive systemic sclerosis
• CR(E)ST syndrome
• Drug and chemical-induced systemic sclerosis
• Other forms of systemic sclerosis
• Systemic sclerosis, unspecified

A patient with systemic sclerosis can be diagnosed with any of the above-mentioned subtypes of scleroderma. All these sclerodermas fall under the code M34. For example, a patient diagnosed with systemic sclerosis along with polyneuropathy will be coded under M34.83.

Scleroderma excluded from ICD-10 code M34

Circumscribed scleroderma (L94.0) and neonatal scleroderma (P83.88) are excluded from the ICD-10 code M34. Though they are sclerodermas, they are not coded under M34. This is due to differences in their characteristics and clinical manifestations.

While systemic sclerosis (M34) is a disorder of connective tissue, circumscribed sclerosis (L94.0) affects the skin and its underlying tissues. Similarly, neonatal scleroderma is just a skin abnormality, which is why it is included in a separate category with a code (P83.88)

Conclusion

ICD-10 stands for the International Classification of Disease, Tenth revision. Recognized globally for classifying diseases, ICD-10 is a standard framework developed by the World Health Organization. While it has codes for all the diseases of the world, it also represents scleroderma with a specific code.

The ICD-10 code for scleroderma typically depends on the type of disorder it progresses with. Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) falls under the code M34. All five of its subtypes are also categorized in this code.