Problems with swallowing and mastication

This code identifies functional difficulties an individual experiences with the act of swallowing food or liquids (dysphagia) and//or the process of chewing and grinding food in the mouth (mastication). These problems can range from mild discomfort to severe impairment, potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies or aspiration.

Use this code when documentation indicates a patient is experiencing issues with their ability to swallow or chew, without a more specific underlying diagnosis yet identified or when the problem itself is the primary focus. This is often seen in initial assessments or when the etiology of the swallowing/chewing difficulty is still under investigation.

• Always seek more specific codes for the underlying cause if known (e.g., stroke, neurological disorder, esophageal stricture).
• This code is appropriate for "rule out" or "suspected" cases of swallowing/mastication problems when no definitive diagnosis has been made.
• Do not use if a more specific code for dysphagia (e.g., R13.1x in ICD-10-CM) or mastication disorder is available and documented.