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K14.8
ICD-10-CM
Tongue Swelling

Find information on tongue swelling diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding (ICD-10 codes), and differential diagnosis. Explore causes of swollen tongue, such as angioedema, allergic reactions, infections, and trauma. Learn about symptoms, examination, and treatment options for tongue edema or macroglossia. Resources for healthcare professionals, including coding guidelines and clinical resources related to glossitis and other tongue disorders.

Also known as

Lingual Edema
Macroglossia

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Enlarged tongue exceeding normal size.
  • Clinical Signs : Swelling, difficulty speaking or swallowing, altered taste, indented tongue margins.
  • Common Settings : Allergies, infections, trauma, medication side effects, underlying medical conditions.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC K14.8 Coding
K14.0

Glossitis and other diseases of tongue

Covers various tongue conditions including swelling.

R22.0

Localized swelling, mass and lump, head

Includes swelling in the head region, which could encompass the tongue.

T78.3XXA

Swelling and edema complicating a procedure

Describes swelling as a complication of a medical procedure affecting the tongue.

J39.9

Unspecified disease of upper respiratory tract

May be applicable if tongue swelling relates to an upper respiratory issue.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the tongue swelling due to an allergic reaction?

  • Yes

    Is there angioedema?

  • No

    Is the swelling due to a medication?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Tongue swelling
Angioedema
Glossitis

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Document onset, duration, and triggers of tongue swelling.
  • Describe the location and extent of the swelling (localized, diffuse).
  • Note any associated symptoms: difficulty breathing, speaking, swallowing.
  • Record any relevant medical history: allergies, angioedema, medications.
  • Document physical exam findings: tongue size, color, texture, airway patency.

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Swelling Code

    Using unspecified codes like R22.0 (Swelling of tongue) without documenting the cause can lead to claim denials and lower reimbursement.

  • Underlying Cause Missed

    Failing to code the underlying etiology of tongue swelling (e.g., allergy, infection, trauma) impacts accurate DRG assignment and quality metrics.

  • Glossodynia vs. Swelling

    Incorrectly coding glossodynia (painful tongue) as tongue swelling (K14.8) can lead to inaccurate diagnosis data and affect patient care.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document allergen exposure for ICD-10 T78.1X codes, CDI accuracy.
  • Rule out angioedema: Detailed HPI improves E/M coding, risk adjustment.
  • Medication reconciliation crucial for adverse drug event documentation (ICD-10 T88.7).
  • Airway assessment: Thorough exam vital for compliant billing, patient safety.
  • Image if indicated (CT/MRI) with precise clinical justification for payer compliance.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Review patient history for allergy triggers (ICD-10 T78.40XA)
  • Inspect tongue and oral cavity for infection signs (ICD-10 K12.2)
  • Assess airway patency and breathing difficulty (SNOMED CT 71935005)
  • Check medication list for ACE inhibitors (RxNorm 308091)

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Tongue Swelling: Diagnosis coding impacts reimbursement for procedures and evaluations.
  • Accurate ICD-10 coding (e.g., K14.0, R22.0) maximizes tongue swelling diagnosis reimbursement.
  • Quality reporting: Tongue swelling diagnosis data affects hospital quality metrics and benchmarks.
  • Proper coding improves data accuracy for tongue swelling, impacting resource allocation and patient outcomes.

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 underlying cause, not just swelling
  • Document swelling location, size, duration
  • Consider ICD-10 codes: R22.0, K14.8
  • Check SNOMED CT for glossomegaly
  • Review documentation for allergy triggers

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with tongue swelling (glossomegaly, macroglossia), onset [duration].  Patient reports [symptoms, e.g., difficulty speaking (dysarthria), swallowing (dysphagia), breathing (dyspnea), or altered taste (dysgeusia)].  Severity of swelling described as [mild, moderate, severe].  Onset associated with [potential triggers, e.g., trauma, allergy, medication, infection, or idiopathic].  Review of systems reveals [related symptoms or pertinent negatives].  Physical exam findings include [objective description of tongue: size, color, texture, presence of lesions, indentation from teeth].  Airway assessed and deemed [patent, compromised].  Vital signs stable, including oxygen saturation [value] on room air.  Differential diagnosis includes angioedema, cellulitis, Ludwig's angina, amyloidosis, hypothyroidism, acromegaly, and medication side effects.  Preliminary diagnosis of tongue swelling with suspected etiology of [etiology if identifiable, otherwise "unknown"].  Ordered [diagnostic tests, e.g., CBC, CMP, allergy testing, imaging if indicated].  Treatment plan includes [e.g., observation, medication for allergy or infection, airway management if necessary, referral to specialist such as allergist, otolaryngologist, or endocrinologist as indicated].  Patient education provided regarding [relevant topics, e.g., monitoring symptoms, potential complications, medication instructions].  Follow-up scheduled in [timeframe].
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