Type I occipital condyle fracture, left side, 7thK

This code signifies a specific fracture of the left occipital condyle, classified as Type I, which is a stable avulsion fracture typically caused by an alar ligament injury. The "subsequent encounter" indicates the patient is receiving routine care during the healing phase of a previously diagnosed fracture, and "nonunion" specifies that the bone fragments are failing to heal together.

Apply this code for follow-up visits, cast changes, or ongoing management of a left Type I occipital condyle fracture that has been documented as not healing properly. Documentation should clearly state "left Type I occipital condyle fracture," "nonunion," and indicate a subsequent encounter for care after the initial treatment.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "Type I" and "left side" to differentiate from other types and laterality.
• Verify that "nonunion" is clearly documented by the provider, as this significantly impacts code selection.
• Do not use this code for the initial treatment of the fracture; a different encounter type code would be appropriate for the initial visit.