ICD-10-CM Code for Adult Physical Abuse, Confirmed, Subsequent Encounter
The ICD-10-CM code for adult physical abuse, confirmed, subsequent encounter is T74.11XD.
Code Structure and Specificity
The T74.11XD code breaks down as follows:
- T74.11 = Adult physical abuse, confirmed
- X = Placeholder character (required by ICD-10-CM formatting)
- D = Subsequent encounter
This code has the highest positive predictive value (0.89) among abuse-related diagnostic codes for identifying confirmed cases of physical abuse 1.
Key Coding Distinctions
Confirmed vs. Suspected:
- Use T74.11XD when physical abuse is definitively confirmed through medical evaluation, investigation, or documentation
- Use T76.11XD for suspected (but not confirmed) adult physical abuse, subsequent encounter
Encounter Type:
- D suffix = Subsequent encounter (follow-up care after initial diagnosis)
- A suffix = Initial encounter (first time documenting the confirmed abuse)
- S suffix = Sequela (late effects of the abuse)
Clinical Documentation Requirements
For proper code assignment, medical records should contain:
- Clear documentation that physical abuse occurred
- Confirmation through medical findings, witness statements, or investigation results
- Indication this is a follow-up visit (not the initial diagnosis encounter)
Common Pitfalls
Avoid these coding errors:
- Using Z04.72 ("Encounter for examination following alleged abuse") for confirmed cases—this code has poor specificity (PPV 0.24) and is only for initial evaluations when abuse is alleged but not yet confirmed 1
- Confusing initial (A) and subsequent (D) encounter designations
- Using T76 codes (suspected) when abuse is actually confirmed
The T74.11 code series demonstrates significantly higher accuracy for identifying actual abuse cases compared to other abuse-related diagnostic codes 1, making precise code selection critical for accurate medical documentation and epidemiological tracking.