Torticollis ICD 10

Torticollis ICD 10 codes are used to identify and bill for Torticollis, a musculoskeletal condition in which the neck is twisted (wryneck). It is often characterized by the head tilted to one side and the chin to the other side. Torticollis presents with stiff neck and shoulder muscles, which causes limited range of motion, pain, stiffness, and difficulty with posture.

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There are different types of torticollis which include the following:

1. Spasmodic Torticollis (Cervical Dystonia):
   • Effects adults
   • A rare but painful condition where neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing a client’s head to turn or twist to one side.
   • Cervical dystonia may also cause your head to tilt uncontrollably forward or backward
2. Acquired Torticollis:
   • Common in pediatric population but can happen in adults
   • Occurs in the children in the first four to six months but may occur later
   • Episodes, or attacks of head tilting may be recurring and accompanied by other symptoms, including vomiting, irritability, and/or drowsiness
3. Congenital Muscular Torticollis:
   • More common form
   • Effects pediatric population
   • Presents with asymmetries of the head and face
   • Typically, the Sternocleidomastoid muscle or SCM, is shortened and tight and causes limited range of motion
   • May happen either in utero because of positioning in the womb, limited tolerance to tummy time, and/or prolonged positions in different equipment such as swings, bouncers, rockers, carriers, car seats, etc.

Impact of Torticollis on occupational performance and daily functioning

Torticollis has a significant effect on occupational performance and daily functioning. Torticollis impacts an individual’s neck and shoulder range of motion, pain levels, posture, and face symmetry.

These challenges influence an individual's ability to perform various daily tasks such as ADL tasks, feeding/eating skills, visual skills, gross motor skills, or fine motor skills, and overall meeting developmental milestones.

Developmental milestones may include visual tracking, rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking.

What is the Torticollis ICD 10 code for unspecified?

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) aims to promote international comparability in the collection, processing, classification, and presentation of mortality statistics, according to the CDC.

The use of proper Torticollis ICD 10 codes can offer improved comprehension of risk and severity.

It is also vital to incorporate proper Torticollis ICD 10 codes to ensure reimbursement, medical necessity, and continued care. In occupational therapy practice, the ICD-10 is a billable/specific code that can be used for diagnosis and reimbursement purposes. It is important to utilize Torticollis ICD 10 codes that are client-specific in occupational therapy practice as they improve the overall quality of care and management.

Some of the different Torticollis ICD 10 codes can be found in the chart below. It is important to note that this is not an all-encompassing list but serves as a reference tool for some of the different codes and types of Torticollis.

*All Torticollis ICD 10 codes from ICD10data.com

Assessment and evaluation of individuals with Torticollis

For therapists, one of the primary modes of assessing and evaluating a child with torticollis is through range of motion (ROM) using a goniometer.

Different measurements such as cervical lateral flexion, extension, and cervical rotation may be assessed. A standardized assessment called the Muscle Function Scale may also be utilized.

The Muscle Function Scale (MFS) is used to assess the function of the neck’s lateral flexors in infants, using a scale of 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating better muscle function.

In addition imaging tests such as MRIs, X-rays, ultrasounds, are used to diagnose both adult and pediatric torticollis. A neurological exam can be performed to determine if the patient has issues with balance, gait or movement.

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Occupational therapy interventions for Torticollis management

Occupational therapists play a foundational role in the interventions and management of torticollis. Depending on the severity of the Torticollis, intervention methods may be focused on incorporating family-centered care via education regarding Torticollis and the environmental modifications.

These modifications may include tummy time, proper positioning strategies in the crib and minimizing time in containers such as car seats, baby jumpers, bouncers, swings, and exercise saucers. In addition, providing emotional support and community resources, as well as developing collaborative goal setting and decision making, are all important aspects of providing holistic and client-centered care.

Therapists will also perform a range of motion exercises and postural training exercises to improve the overall flexibility and mobility of the neck muscles.

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Home exercise programming may also be an intervention method utilized for improved carryover at home and at day-cares/nurseries.

Assistive technology and adaptive equipment such as boppy pillows, incline ramps, therapy or yoga balls, baby activity gyms may also be incorporated during exercises and tummy time and.

For acquired torticollis a neck collar and medication may be provided in addition to individualized therapy focused on range of motion.

For cervical dystonia, providing heat therapy, traction therapy, ergonomic seating, and neck collars/pillows, along with medication may be a way to reduce strain, tension, pain, and spasms in the neck muscles to improve functional outcomes and daily functioning. It is important to remember that each case of Torticollis will present differently and developing individualized treatment plans based on assessment findings is key for improved client-centered care and positive functional outcomes for the client.

A foundational aspect of providing holistic care is incorporating collaborative care and a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. For diagnosis, primary care physicians and neurologists may be involved and will run tests.

For treatment, both physical therapists and occupational therapists are often involved. It is crucial to foster a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach, as it ensures continuity of care, addresses the various needs of clients, and overall improves quality of care, and overall client outcomes.

Overall, to provide holistic and client-centered care, it is important for therapists to provide evidenced-based interventions, adopt a collaborative approach with multidisciplinary teams and a family-centered approach.

By embracing this type of approach, it allows for individualized treatment and interventions, improved treatment and client outcomes, continuity of care, enhances the quality of life, and it overall contributes to a positive and meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by torticollis.

Using the proper Torticollis ICD 10 codes can also help in communication with other professionals aiding in the best opportunity for optimal outcomes.

How EHR and practice management software can save you time with insurance billing for therapists

EHR with integrated billing software and a clearing house, such as TheraPlatform, offers significant advantages in creating an efficient insurance billing process. The key is minimizing the amount of time dedicated to developing, sending, and tracking medical claims through features such as automation and batching. 

What are automation and batching?

• Automation refers to setting up software to perform tasks with limited human interaction.

• Batching or performing administrative tasks in blocks of time at once allows you to perform a task from a single entry point with less clicking.

Which billing and medical claim tasks can be automated and batched through billing software?

• Invoices: Create multiple invoices for multiple clients with a click or two of a button or set up auto-invoice creation, and the software will automatically create invoices for you at the preferred time. You can even have the system automatically send invoices to your clients.

• Credit card processing: Charge multiple clients with a click of a button or set up auto credit card billing, and the billing software will automatically charge the card (easier than swiping!)

• Email payment reminders: Never manually send another reminder email for payment again, or skip this altogether by enabling auto credit card charges.  

• Automated claim creation and submission: Batch multiple claims with one button click or turn auto claim creation and submission on. 

• Live claim validation: The system reviews each claim to catch any human errors before submission, saving you time and reducing rejected claims. 

• Automated payment posting: Streamline posting procedures for paid medical claims with ERA. When insurance offers ERA, all their payments will post automatically on TheraPlatform's EHR.

• Tracking: Track payment and profits, including aging invoices, overdue invoices, transactions, billed services, service providers

Utilizing billing software integrated with an EHR and practice management software can make storing and sharing billing and insurance easy and save providers time when it comes to insurance billing for therapists.

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Resources

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More resources

• Therapy resources and worksheets
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• The Ultimate Insurance Billing Guide for Therapists
• The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Private Therapy Practice
• Insurance billing 101
• Practice management tools

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References

1. 2024 ICD-10-CM diagnosis code M43.6: Torticollis. https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/M00-M99/M40-M43/M43-/M43.6
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, December 29). ICD - ICD-10 - international classification of diseases, Tenth Revision. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd10.htm
3. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Cervical dystonia. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cervical-dystonia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354123
4. Pediatric therapy services: Torticollis outcomes. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/pediatrics/outcomes/1029-pediatric-therapy-services-torticollis
5. Phil. (2021, June 23). What is torticollis? will it affect my child’s development? Beyond Therapy. https://beyondtherapykids.urpt.com/blog/what-is-torticollis-will-it-affect-my-childs-development
6. Torticollis. Torticollis | Boston Children’s Hospital. https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/torticollis
7. Understanding ICD-10. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/johns-hopkins-health-plans/providers-physicians/icd-10
8. Yale Medicine. (2023, February 17). Torticollis. Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/torticollis