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M75.50
ICD-10-CM
Subacromial Bursitis

Find information on subacromial bursitis diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, ICD-10 codes (M75.51), CPT codes for injections and aspirations, treatment options, and healthcare provider resources. Learn about symptoms, causes, and differential diagnosis of shoulder bursitis, rotator cuff impingement, and related conditions. This resource provides guidance for accurate medical coding and documentation for subacromial bursitis.

Also known as

Shoulder Bursitis
Subdeltoid Bursitis

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Inflammation of the bursa cushioning the shoulder joint.
  • Clinical Signs : Shoulder pain, especially with overhead reaching or lying on affected side. Stiffness, limited range of motion.
  • Common Settings : Overuse injuries, repetitive motions, trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, gout.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC M75.50 Coding
M75.5

Shoulder bursitis

Inflammation of bursae around the shoulder joint.

M75.1

Rotator cuff syndrome

Shoulder pain involving rotator cuff tendons and bursa.

M75.8

Other shoulder lesions

Includes other specified shoulder disorders, not elsewhere classified.

M75.9

Shoulder lesion, unspecified

Unspecified disorder of the shoulder joint and surrounding structures.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the subacromial bursitis specified as traumatic?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Shoulder bursa inflammation
Rotator cuff tear
Adhesive capsulitis

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Document patient-reported shoulder pain
  • Physical exam: Limited ROM, tenderness
  • Painful Arc test positive documentation
  • Imaging: X-ray or MRI findings (optional)
  • Impingement tests (e.g., Neer, Hawkins)

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified laterality

    Coding for subacromial bursitis requires specifying right, left, or bilateral. Unspecified laterality leads to claim denials and inaccurate data.

  • Impingement confusion

    Subacromial impingement and bursitis often co-occur. Incorrectly coding impingement without bursitis impacts reimbursement and quality metrics.

  • Missing etiology

    Traumatic vs. non-traumatic bursitis requires distinct codes. Lack of documentation specifying etiology causes coding errors and compliance issues.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document specific bursa location (e.g., subacromial) for ICD-10 accuracy.
  • Correlate physical exam findings (e.g., impingement tests) with imaging for M75.5 code.
  • Specify symptom duration and severity to support the diagnosis and treatment plan.
  • Avoid using 'bursitis' alone. Detail location and laterality for proper coding.
  • Query physician for clarity if documentation lacks specifics for accurate CDI.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify painful arc during shoulder abduction range of motion
  • Palpate for subacromial tenderness ICD10 M75.5
  • Assess for impingement signs Neer and Hawkins tests
  • Evaluate for restricted active and passive ROM documentation
  • Rule out rotator cuff tear and other shoulder pathologies

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Subacromial Bursitis Reimbursement: ICD-10 M75.5, CPT 20610 (injection), 29824 (arthroscopy). Coding accuracy crucial for maximizing reimbursement.
  • Quality metrics impact: Functional status improvement (e.g., DASH score), pain reduction (VAS), patient satisfaction.
  • Hospital reporting: Track bursitis incidence, treatment outcomes, complication rates for performance benchmarking and quality improvement.
  • Accurate coding and documentation vital for appropriate reimbursement under CMS guidelines and avoiding denials for medical necessity.

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 M75.51 for subacromial bursitis
  • Document pain,ROM limit
  • Specify laterality: right/left
  • Consider related impingement codes
  • Confirm diagnosis via imaging

Documentation Templates

Subacromial bursitis diagnosed. Patient presents with shoulder pain, specifically localized to the lateral aspect and aggravated by overhead activities.  Symptoms include pain with abduction, external rotation, and impingement signs positive on physical exam (Neer and Hawkins tests).  Pain reported as aching and intermittent, increasing in intensity with movement.  Patient denies any specific trauma but reports gradual onset over several weeks, correlating with increased activity at work involving repetitive overhead lifting.  Palpation reveals tenderness over the subacromial bursa.  Range of motion is limited due to pain, with abduction actively limited to 100 degrees and passively limited to 120 degrees.  Strength testing reveals mild weakness in supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles.  Differential diagnosis includes rotator cuff tear, adhesive capsulitis, and cervical radiculopathy.  Working diagnosis of subacromial bursitis based on clinical presentation and examination findings.  Treatment plan includes conservative management with NSAIDs for pain and inflammation, ice application, and physical therapy focusing on range of motion exercises and strengthening of the rotator cuff muscles.  Patient education provided regarding activity modification and proper body mechanics.  Follow-up scheduled in two weeks to assess response to treatment.  ICD-10 code M75.51, right shoulder bursitis, and CPT codes for evaluation and management (e.g., 99203-99205 or 99212-99215 depending on complexity) will be used for billing and coding purposes.  Prognosis is good with conservative treatment, and patient is expected to regain full function with appropriate management.