Facebook tracking pixel
H00.019
ICD-10-CM
Stye

Learn about stye diagnosis, including hordeolum, external hordeolum, internal hordeolum, chalazion differential diagnosis, preseptal cellulitis differentiation, and relevant ICD-10 codes (H00.0, H00.1) for accurate medical coding and clinical documentation. This resource provides information on stye treatment, symptoms like eye pain, eyelid swelling, and redness, along with clinical findings to aid healthcare professionals in proper diagnosis and documentation.

Also known as

Hordeolum
Sty

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : A red, painful bump on the eyelid, caused by a bacterial infection of an oil gland.
  • Clinical Signs : Tender, swollen, red bump near the edge of the eyelid. May have a pus-filled head.
  • Common Settings : Primary care, ophthalmology, optometry, urgent care.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC H00.019 Coding
H00-H59

Diseases of the eye and adnexa

Covers various eye conditions, including styes.

H00-H06

Disorders of eyelid, lacrimal system

Includes infections and inflammations affecting the eyelids.

H00

Hordeolum and chalazion

Specifically classifies styes (hordeolum) and chalazia.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the stye internal (inside the eyelid)?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Small, painful lump on eyelid
Inflammation of oil gland inside eyelid
Inflammation of eyelid margin

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Stye diagnosis: Document laterality (left/right)
  • External hordeolum: Note location (upper/lower lid)
  • Internal hordeolum: Document meibomian gland involvement
  • Chalazion vs. stye: Describe lesion characteristics
  • Document associated symptoms: pain, redness, swelling

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Laterality

    Coding a stye without specifying right, left, or bilateral eye can lead to claim rejections and inaccurate data reporting. Use H00.01x-H00.03x.

  • External vs. Internal Hordeolum

    Incorrectly coding an external stye (H00.0) as an internal hordeolum (H00.1) impacts clinical documentation integrity and reimbursement.

  • Chalazion Miscoding

    Confusing a stye (H00.0) with a chalazion (H00.1) can lead to inaccurate quality reporting and affect treatment plans.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Warm compress: 10-15 mins, 3-4x/day
  • Avoid touching or squeezing the stye
  • Proper hand hygiene: ICD-10 H00.0
  • Discard makeup after stye onset: CDI best practice
  • Over-the-counter pain relief: Healthcare compliance

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Confirm localized, painful eyelid swelling
  • Rule out chalazion via palpation tenderness
  • Verify absence of preseptal cellulitis signs
  • Document lesion size, location, and associated symptoms
  • Consider bacterial culture if recurrent or atypical

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Stye Diagnosis Reimbursement: Coding accuracy impacts payment. Proper ICD-10 (H00.0) use ensures correct claims processing.
  • Stye Quality Metrics: Accurate diagnosis coding affects hospital quality reporting data, influencing performance benchmarks.
  • Stye Billing: Precise coding (H00.0) minimizes claim denials and optimizes revenue cycle management for ophthalmology services.
  • Stye Hospital Reporting: Accurate documentation and coding are crucial for precise incidence tracking and resource allocation.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions and Answers

Q: What are the most effective differential diagnosis strategies for distinguishing a stye from other periorbital inflammatory conditions like chalazion, blepharitis, and cellulitis in a primary care setting?

A: Differentiating a stye (hordeolum) requires careful assessment of location, presentation, and patient history. A stye, an acute infection of the eyelid gland, typically presents as a localized, tender, erythematous swelling near the eyelash follicle (external hordeolum) or within the eyelid (internal hordeolum). Chalazia, on the other hand, are chronic, granulomatous inflammations of the meibomian glands, usually presenting as painless, firm nodules. Blepharitis involves inflammation of the eyelid margins, often accompanied by crusting, scaling, and itching. Preseptal cellulitis presents as diffuse eyelid swelling, erythema, and tenderness, potentially extending beyond the eyelid margins. Consider eyelid tenderness, pain, and the presence of a pointing pustule as key distinguishing features for stye. For challenging cases, explore further diagnostic tools such as slit-lamp examination to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions. Learn more about specific treatment approaches for each condition to ensure accurate patient care.

Q: When should I consider antibiotic treatment for a stye, and what are the recommended antibiotic choices, dosages, and durations for uncomplicated and complicated cases in adult patients?

A: Most styes resolve spontaneously with conservative management like warm compresses. However, antibiotic treatment may be warranted in cases with significant surrounding cellulitis, multiple styes, or systemic symptoms. For uncomplicated cases, topical antibiotics like bacitracin or erythromycin ophthalmic ointment applied to the affected area several times a day for 5-7 days can be effective. In complicated cases with significant inflammation or systemic involvement, oral antibiotics like dicloxacillin or cephalexin may be necessary. Dosage and duration should be determined based on patient-specific factors and current guidelines. Consider implementing a standardized approach to antibiotic stewardship to minimize antibiotic resistance. Explore how culture and sensitivity testing can guide antibiotic selection in recalcitrant cases or those with suspected MRSA involvement.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code H00.0 for external stye
  • Code H00.1 for internal hordeolum
  • Document precise location, size

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints consistent with a stye, also known as a hordeolum.  Symptoms include localized eyelid swelling, erythema, tenderness, and a palpable nodule.  The patient reports discomfort, mild pain, and foreign body sensation in the affected eye.  On examination, a focal, erythematous, tender swelling is noted on the (rightupper, rightlower, leftupper, leftlower) eyelid margin, consistent with an external hordeolum.  No preauricular lymphadenopathy is observed.  Visual acuity is unaffected.  The patient denies fever, chills, or any other systemic symptoms.  Diagnosis of hordeolum externum is made based on clinical presentation.  Differential diagnoses considered include chalazion, blepharitis, and dacryoadenitis.  Plan includes warm compresses applied to the affected eyelid for 10-15 minutes, four times daily.  Patient education provided regarding proper eyelid hygiene and avoidance of squeezing or manipulating the lesion.  Follow-up recommended if symptoms worsen or do not improve within one week.  ICD-10 code H00.0 will be used for medical billing and coding.  Return to clinic scheduled in one week for reevaluation.  Patient understands and agrees with the plan.
Stye - AI-Powered ICD-10 Documentation