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J35.1
ICD-10-CM
Swollen Tonsils

Find information on swollen tonsils, including clinical documentation, medical coding, ICD-10 codes J03.90, J03.0, J35.0, and tonsillitis treatment. Learn about causes, symptoms like sore throat and difficulty swallowing, and diagnostic criteria for enlarged tonsils. Explore resources for healthcare professionals on accurate medical coding and documentation of tonsillar hypertrophy and acute tonsillitis. This comprehensive guide provides essential information for accurate diagnosis and billing related to swollen tonsils.

Also known as

Tonsillar Hypertrophy
Enlarged Tonsils

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Enlarged tonsils, often due to infection or inflammation.
  • Clinical Signs : Sore throat, difficulty swallowing, red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white spots.
  • Common Settings : Primary care clinics, urgent care centers, ENT specialist offices.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC J35.1 Coding
J03.0-J03.9

Acute tonsillitis

Inflammation of the tonsils, often causing swelling.

J35.0-J35.9

Chronic tonsillitis and adenoids

Long-term tonsil inflammation, potentially with swelling.

J36

Peritonsillar abscess

Collection of pus near tonsils, causing significant swelling.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the tonsil swelling related to acute tonsillitis?

  • Yes

    Streptococcal infection confirmed?

  • No

    Related to hypertrophy?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Swollen tonsils
Tonsillitis
Peritonsillar abscess

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Tonsil size (e.g., 1+, 2+, 3+, 4+)
  • Presence of exudate (e.g., white, yellow)
  • Associated symptoms (e.g., sore throat, difficulty swallowing)
  • Lymph node exam (e.g., tender, enlarged)
  • Diagnosis: Acute tonsillitis vs. Chronic tonsillitis

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Laterality

    Coding swollen tonsils without specifying unilateral or bilateral can lead to inaccurate billing and clinical data.

  • Missing Infection Status

    Failing to document if the swollen tonsils are due to infection (e.g., tonsillitis) or other causes impacts proper coding and treatment.

  • Peritonsillar Abscess Confusion

    Miscoding swollen tonsils as a peritonsillar abscess, a more serious condition, can lead to overtreatment and incorrect reimbursement.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Gargle salt water, stay hydrated: ICD-10 J03.9, J35.0
  • Over-the-counter pain relief, rest: SNOMED CT 303053005
  • Avoid irritants like smoke: ICD-10 J35.0, CDI best practice
  • Consult physician for antibiotics if bacterial: HIPAA compliance
  • Accurate documentation crucial for coding, billing: ICD-10 J03.9

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify tonsillar erythema or exudates documented.
  • Confirm size of tonsils documented (e.g., 1+ to 4+).
  • Check for related symptoms (e.g., sore throat, dysphagia).
  • Rule out peritonsillar abscess if asymmetric swelling.

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Swollen Tonsils Reimbursement: Accurate ICD-10 coding (J03.9, J03.0, J35.0) impacts payer contracts and claim denial rates. Optimize medical billing for maximum reimbursement.
  • Tonsillitis Coding Accuracy: Correct diagnosis and procedure codes (e.g., 42820, 42821 for tonsillectomy) crucial for clean claims and appropriate hospital revenue cycle management.
  • Quality Metrics Impact: Swollen tonsils diagnosis data influences hospital quality reporting on infection rates, antibiotic stewardship, and surgical outcomes. Accurate coding ensures data integrity.
  • Hospital Reporting: Tonsillitis data impacts public health reporting, resource allocation, and performance benchmarks. Accurate coding and documentation are critical for valid reporting.

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 J03.9 for unspecified tonsillitis
  • Document size, location of swelling
  • Consider J35.0 if chronic tonsillitis
  • Add laterality if unilateral swelling
  • Check for strep test documentation

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints of sore throat, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and enlarged tonsils.  On examination, the tonsils appear erythematous and enlarged, with or without tonsillar exudates.  The patient may also exhibit symptoms such as fever, headache, cervical lymphadenopathy, and odynophagia.  The differential diagnosis includes viral tonsillitis, bacterial tonsillitis, streptococcal pharyngitis, infectious mononucleosis, and peritonsillar abscess.  A rapid strep test andor throat culture may be performed to rule out streptococcal infection.  Treatment for swollen tonsils depends on the underlying cause.  Supportive care such as rest, fluids, and pain management with over-the-counter analgesics like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be recommended.  If a bacterial infection is confirmed, antibiotics may be prescribed.  In cases of recurrent tonsillitis or significant airway obstruction, tonsillectomy may be considered.  Patient education regarding proper hygiene and symptom management was provided.  Follow-up is recommended to monitor symptom resolution and evaluate for any complications.  ICD-10 codes J03.9 (Acute tonsillitis, unspecified) or J35.0 (Chronic tonsillitis) may be applicable depending on the clinical presentation.  CPT codes for evaluation and management (e.g., 99202-99215) or procedures (e.g., 42820 for tonsillectomy) should be used as appropriate for billing purposes.