What is the ICD-10 code for pelvic abscess?

The ICD-10 code for a pelvic abscess is K65.1, which is used when the abscess is confirmed by imaging or culture.

How do you code a pelvic abscess with diverticulitis?

For a pelvic abscess with diverticulitis, use K57.20 as the principal diagnosis and K65.1 as a secondary code.

ICD-10 Coding for Pelvic Abscess(K65.1, K57.20, K57.30)

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Learn about ICD-10 coding for pelvic abscess, including primary and secondary codes, documentation requirements, and common pitfalls.

Also known as:

Abdominopelvic AbscessIntra-abdominal Abscess

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Pelvic Abscess

K00-K95Primary Range

Diseases of the digestive system

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Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

Code	Description	When to Use	Key Documentation
K65.1	Peritoneal abscess	Use when a pelvic abscess is confirmed by imaging and/or culture.	CT scan showing hypodense collection with rim enhancement Positive culture for specific organism
K57.20	Diverticulitis of large intestine with perforation and abscess without bleeding	Use when diverticulitis is complicated by a pelvic abscess.	CT scan showing diverticular disease with associated abscess Clinical correlation with diverticulitis symptoms

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes

Peritoneal abscess

K65.1Billable

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions

Female pelvic peritoneal adhesions (PID)N73.5

Use when infection is primarily related to PID rather than an isolated abscess.

Diverticulitis of large intestine without perforation or abscessK57.30

Use when there is no abscess or perforation present.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common issues when documenting Pelvic Abscess.

Inadequate documentation of abscess characteristics

Impact

Clinical: May lead to incorrect treatment decisions., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims or reduced reimbursement.

Mitigation

Ensure detailed imaging and culture documentation., Use standardized templates for procedure notes.

Undercoding MCC status by omitting K65.1

Impact

Reimbursement: Potential loss of MCC-related reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate data representation of patient severity.

Mitigation

Always add K65.1 when a pelvic abscess is present to capture MCC.

Confusing superficial with deep abscess codes

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect procedure coding affects payment., Compliance: Non-compliance with procedural coding standards., Data Quality: Misrepresentation of surgical intervention.

Mitigation

Use 49020 or 45000 for deep pelvic abscesses.

MCC Documentation

Impact

Failure to document MCC status can lead to audit findings.

Mitigation

Ensure all MCC-related documentation is complete and accurate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements, coding pitfalls and FAQs for conditions coded with K65.1.

Primary Code

K65.1

Peritoneal abscess

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ICD-10 codes6

Coding risks4

FAQs2

ICD-10 Coding for Pelvic Abscess(K65.1, K57.20, K57.30)

Documentation & Coding Risks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ICD-10 code for pelvic abscess?

How do you code a pelvic abscess with diverticulitis?

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