Charcot foot, also known as Charcot arthropathy, is a serious condition affecting the bones, joints, and soft tissues of the foot and ankle. It’s most commonly associated with diabetes and nerve damage (neuropathy), which can lead to a loss of sensation in the feet. In the realm of medical coding and diagnosis, accurately classifying conditions like Charcot foot is crucial for patient care, billing, and statistical tracking. This article delves into the specifics of the Diagnosis Code For Charcot Foot, focusing on the ICD-10-CM code M14.671, which specifically refers to Charcot’s joint in the right ankle and foot.
US flag symbolising the American ICD-10-CM coding system for medical diagnoses.
The ICD-10-CM code M14.671 is a billable and specific code within the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) system. This means it is recognized for reimbursement purposes by healthcare providers and insurance companies in the United States. The code provides a precise way to document a diagnosis of Charcot’s joint affecting the right ankle and foot. It’s important to note that the ICD-10-CM system is regularly updated, and M14.671 is part of the 2025 edition, effective from October 1, 2024. This code has been consistently used since 2016, indicating its established place within the diagnostic framework.
Several terms are considered approximate synonyms for M14.671, helping to clarify the nature of this diagnosis. These include:
- Charcots joint of right ankle
- Neuropathic osteoarthropathy of right ankle
- Nonsyphilitic charcots arthropathy of right foot
- Nonsyphilitic charcots joint of right ankle
- Nonsyphilitic charcots joint of right foot
These synonyms emphasize the neuropathic origin of the condition and specify the location in the right ankle and/or foot. It is important to use the most accurate and specific code available, which in this case is M14.671 when the Charcot joint is located in the right ankle and foot.
Understanding the context of M14.671 within the ICD-10-CM system is also helpful. It falls under the broader category of M14.6, which covers Charcot’s joint in various locations. Codes adjacent to M14.671 in the ICD-10-CM manual specify Charcot’s joint in other areas such as the hand (M14.649), hip (M14.651, M14.652, M14.659), knee (M14.661, M14.662, M14.669), and other unspecified locations (M14.679). This hierarchical structure allows for detailed and precise coding based on the affected anatomical site.
For those involved in medical billing and coding, particularly in contexts related to automotive professionals’ health and wellbeing, accurate use of diagnosis codes like M14.671 is essential. It ensures proper documentation, facilitates appropriate medical management, and allows for accurate processing of insurance claims related to conditions like Charcot foot. The specificity of the diagnosis code for Charcot foot, such as M14.671, underscores the importance of detailed and accurate medical record keeping in modern healthcare.
