ICD-10 Coding for Acute Kidney Injury(N17.0, N17.1, N17.2, N17.8, N17.9)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Acute Kidney Injury. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Acute Kidney Injury
N17.0-N17.9Primary Range
Acute kidney failure codes
This range covers all types of acute kidney injury, including specific and unspecified types.
Postpartum acute kidney failure
Used specifically for acute kidney injury occurring in the postpartum period.
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| N17.0 | Acute kidney failure with tubular necrosis | Use when acute tubular necrosis is documented as the cause of AKI. |
|
| N17.1 | Acute kidney failure with cortical necrosis | Use when cortical necrosis is documented as the cause of AKI. |
|
| N17.2 | Acute kidney failure with medullary necrosis | Use when medullary necrosis is documented as the cause of AKI. |
|
| N17.8 | Other acute kidney failure | Use for specific types of AKI not classified elsewhere. |
|
| N17.9 | Acute kidney failure, unspecified | Use when AKI is documented without a specific cause. |
|
Clinical Decision Support
Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.
Key Information: ICD-10 code for acute kidney injury
Essential facts and insights about Acute Kidney Injury
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for acute kidney injury
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Presence of muddy brown casts and elevated creatinine
Applicable To
- Acute tubular necrosis
Excludes
- Chronic kidney disease (N18.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Muddy brown casts on urinalysis
- Elevated serum creatinine
Code-Specific Risks
- Misclassification if tubular necrosis is not confirmed
Coding Notes
- Ensure documentation specifies tubular necrosis.
N17.1 - Acute kidney failure with cortical necrosis
Use when cortical necrosis is documented as the cause of AKI.
Applicable To
- Cortical necrosis
Excludes
- Chronic kidney disease (N18.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Bilateral cortical infarcts on imaging
Coding Notes
Ensure documentation specifies cortical necrosis.
N17.2 - Acute kidney failure with medullary necrosis
Use when medullary necrosis is documented as the cause of AKI.
Applicable To
- Papillary necrosis
Excludes
- Chronic kidney disease (N18.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Sloughed renal papillae on imaging
Coding Notes
Ensure documentation specifies medullary necrosis.
N17.8 - Other acute kidney failure
Use for specific types of AKI not classified elsewhere.
Applicable To
- Interstitial nephritis
- Crystal-induced AKI
- Rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI
Excludes
- Chronic kidney disease (N18.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Specific etiology documented
Coding Notes
Ensure documentation specifies the type of AKI.
N17.9 - Acute kidney failure, unspecified
Use when AKI is documented without a specific cause.
Applicable To
- Acute renal failure NOS
Excludes
- Chronic kidney disease (N18.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Elevated serum creatinine
- Decreased urine output
Coding Notes
Ensure documentation supports the unspecified nature of AKI.
Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Acute Kidney Injury to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code N17.0.
Impact
Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment, Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards, Financial: Potential for denied claims
Mitigation Strategy
Educate providers on proper terminology, Use templates with correct terms
Impact
Reimbursement: May lead to incorrect DRG assignment and reimbursement, Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines, Data Quality: Decreased accuracy in clinical data
Mitigation Strategy
Use the specific code (e.g., N17.0 for tubular necrosis) when documentation supports it.
Impact
Risk of audits due to non-specific AKI coding.
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure documentation supports specific AKI codes.
Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Acute Kidney Injury, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Acute Kidney Injury
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Acute Kidney Injury. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Emergency Department Note
Specialty: NephrologyRequired Elements
- AKI stage per KDIGO criteria
- Baseline vs current creatinine
- Urine output
- Etiology
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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