Other secondary chronic gout, unsp hip, without tophus

This code signifies a form of chronic gout that is secondary to another underlying condition, affecting an unspecified hip joint. It specifically indicates the absence of tophaceous deposits, which are characteristic urate crystal aggregations. The "other secondary" classification implies that the gout is not due to a drug or lead poisoning.

This code is appropriate when documentation confirms chronic gout in the hip, secondary to a condition other than drugs or lead, and explicitly states the absence of tophi. It should be used when the specific hip (left or right) is not documented. Supporting documentation would include physician notes detailing chronic hip pain, elevated uric acid levels, and a diagnosis of secondary gout without tophi, with the underlying cause also identified.

• Ensure the documentation clearly distinguishes between primary and secondary gout, and identifies the underlying cause for secondary gout.
• Verify that the absence of tophi is explicitly stated or clearly implied; if tophi are present, a different code from the M1A.45 category would be more appropriate.
• If the specific hip is documented (e.g., left or right), use the more specific code (M1A.4510 or M1A.4520) instead of this unspecified code.