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N94.6
ICD-10-CM
Menstrual Pain

Find information on menstrual pain diagnosis, including dysmenorrhea ICD-10 codes (N94.6, N94.4, R10.4), clinical documentation tips, and healthcare coding guidelines. Learn about primary and secondary dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, menstrual cramps treatment, and effective pain management strategies. This resource provides relevant medical coding information for accurate billing and reimbursement related to menstrual pain and associated conditions.

Also known as

Dysmenorrhea
Menstrual Cramps

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Painful menstruation, typically cramping in the lower abdomen.
  • Clinical Signs : Abdominal cramps, back pain, nausea, headache, fatigue.
  • Common Settings : Primary care, gynecology, urgent care.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC N94.6 Coding
N94.6

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation, typically involving abdominal cramping.

R10.0

Pelvic and perineal pain

Generalized pain in the pelvic region, which may occur during menstruation.

N94.89

Other specified abnormal uterine bleeding

May include painful menstruation with other abnormal bleeding patterns.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the menstrual pain associated with a diagnosed medical condition?

  • Yes

    Is it endometriosis?

  • No

    Is the pain primary dysmenorrhea?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Painful menstruation
Painful periods with pelvic pathology
Absent menses

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) diagnosis: ICD-10 N94.6, DSM-5 302.8x
  • Document pain severity: mild, moderate, or severe
  • Location, frequency, and duration of pain
  • Associated symptoms (nausea, vomiting, headache)
  • Impact on daily activities and functionality

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Accurate ICD-10 coding: Dysmenorrhea (N94.6)
  • Detailed HPI: Pain onset, location, quality, radiation, severity, timing
  • Document NSAID use, efficacy, and alternative therapies tried
  • Pelvic exam findings crucial for differential diagnosis, CDI compliant
  • Consider endometriosis (N80.0) if symptoms suggest, improve HCC coding

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Confirm primary dysmenorrhea diagnosis (ICD-10 N28.0, ICD-10 R10.2)
  • Document pain characteristics: location, duration, severity
  • Exclude secondary causes: endometriosis, PID, fibroids
  • Review NSAID/contraceptive use and effectiveness
  • Consider pelvic exam if indicated by history/risk factors

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Menstrual Pain: Coding accuracy impacts reimbursement for N94.6, R10.4, dysmenorrhea diagnosis codes.
  • Accurate coding affects hospital reporting on prevalence and severity of menstrual disorders, impacting resource allocation.
  • Quality metrics like patient satisfaction and pain management are tied to proper coding and treatment of dysmenorrhea.
  • Denial management and revenue cycle optimization depend on accurate coding for menstrual pain diagnoses like N94.6.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

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

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code primary dysmenorrhea N94.6
  • Exclude secondary causes R10.0-R10.9
  • Document pain severity, location, duration
  • Consider premenstrual syndrome N88.9
  • Use modifiers for procedures related to pain

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaint of dysmenorrhea, characterized as painful menstruation.  The patient reports experiencing cramping lower abdominal pain,  with onset typically coinciding with menses onset or shortly before.  Pain severity is described as [mild, moderate, or severe], impacting daily activities [minimally, moderately, or significantly].  Associated symptoms may include back pain, pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, and fatigue.  The patient denies fever, chills, abnormal vaginal discharge, or urinary symptoms.  Pain is managed with [medication, heat therapy, rest, or other].  Menstrual history includes menarche at age [age], cycle length of [number] days, and flow described as [light, normal, or heavy].  Gynecological history includes [gravida, para, abortions], and last pelvic exam was [date].  Differential diagnosis includes primary dysmenorrhea, secondary dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and uterine fibroids.  Assessment suggests [primary or secondary] dysmenorrhea based on [clinical findings].  Plan includes [pain management strategies, lifestyle modifications, diagnostic testing such as pelvic ultrasound or laparoscopy if indicated, referral to gynecology if needed, and patient education regarding menstrual cramps, period pain, and dysmenorrhea management].  Follow-up recommended in [timeframe] to assess symptom control and discuss further management options.  ICD-10 code N94.6 (primary dysmenorrhea) or N94.89 (other specified abnormal uterine bleeding) may be considered depending on the specific diagnosis.  CPT codes for evaluation and management services will be based on the complexity of the visit.
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