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H54.8
ICD-10-CM
Legal Blindness

Understanding legal blindness diagnosis, visual acuity, and visual field loss is crucial for accurate healthcare documentation and medical coding. This resource provides information on ICD-10 codes for legal blindness, including H54.0 and qualifying criteria related to central visual acuity and peripheral vision. Learn about Snellen chart measurements, visual field testing, and the impact of legal blindness on daily living, enabling proper clinical documentation and coding for optimal patient care.

Also known as

Legally Blind
Visual Impairment
blindness

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Severe vision impairment, not correctable by glasses or contact lenses. Central visual acuity of 20/200 or worse.
  • Clinical Signs : Limited visual field (20 degrees or less), difficulty seeing details, navigating, and reading.
  • Common Settings : Ophthalmology clinics, low vision rehabilitation centers, optometry offices.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC H54.8 Coding
H54.0-H54.7

Blindness and low vision

Covers various types of vision loss, including legal blindness.

Z98.81

Personal history of legal blindness

Indicates a past diagnosis of legal blindness, currently resolved.

H53.0-H53.9

Visual disturbances

Includes unspecified visual impairments that may contribute to legal blindness.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Best-corrected visual acuity 20/200 or worse?

  • Yes

    Visual field 20 degrees or less?

  • No

    Is there any visual impairment?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Legal blindness
Low vision
Visual impairment

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Visual acuity 20/200 or worse in better eye
  • Visual field less than 20 degrees
  • Snellen chart used for VA measurement
  • ICD-10 code H54.0 for legal blindness
  • Document any assistive devices used

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Laterality Coding

    Missing or incorrect laterality (right, left, bilateral) for legal blindness impacts severity and reimbursement.

  • Visual Acuity vs. Field

    Confusing visual acuity codes (H54) with visual field codes (H53) leads to inaccurate blindness diagnosis coding.

  • Underlying Cause Missing

    Failing to code the underlying medical condition causing legal blindness (e.g., diabetic retinopathy) hinders data analysis.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • ICD-10 H54.x: Precise coding for legal blindness subtypes.
  • Document visual acuity, field defects for accurate CDI.
  • Compliance: Annual eye exams vital for at-risk patients.
  • Low vision rehab: Improve function, independence (ICD-10 Z71.8)
  • Assistive devices: Optimize remaining vision, document justification (SNOMED CT)

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify visual acuity 20/200 or worse in better eye.
  • Confirm visual field 20 degrees or less in better eye.
  • Check ICD-10 coding for legal blindness (H54.0).
  • Document exam details, Snellen chart use, and diagnosis rationale.
  • Review patient impact, resources, and referral for low vision services.

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Legal Blindness reimbursement hinges on accurate ICD-10 coding (H54.0-H54.7) impacting medical billing & claims processing.
  • Coding quality directly affects hospital reporting for Legal Blindness, impacting severity scores & resource allocation.
  • Precise documentation of visual acuity & field limitations is crucial for optimal reimbursement and accurate quality metrics.
  • Legal Blindness diagnosis coding impacts public health data reporting, influencing blindness prevention programs & funding.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • ICD-10 H54.x for legal blindness
  • Document visual acuity and field loss
  • Snellen chart for acuity coding
  • Check payer guidelines for low vision
  • H54.0 if both eyes affected

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with significantly impaired vision consistent with legal blindness.  Visual acuity testing reveals central visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the better eye with best correction, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less.  The patient reports difficulty with activities of daily living including reading, facial recognition, and independent navigation.  Etiology of vision loss may include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or other ophthalmologic conditions.  Assessment includes a comprehensive eye exam including Snellen chart testing, visual field assessment, dilated fundus examination, and optical coherence tomography as indicated.  Diagnosis of legal blindness significantly impacts the patients quality of life and functional independence.  Patient education was provided regarding low vision aids and resources, including assistive technology, orientation and mobility training, and support groups.  Referral to a low vision specialist is recommended for further evaluation and management of visual impairment.  Plan also includes ongoing monitoring of visual function and addressing any underlying ophthalmologic conditions.  ICD-10 code H54.7, legal blindness, is documented for medical coding and billing purposes.  The patient's prognosis for vision restoration is guarded given the severity of visual impairment.  Focus will be on maximizing remaining vision and enhancing functional abilities through rehabilitation and adaptive strategies.
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