ICD-10 Coding for Acute Tubular Necrosis(N17.0, T86.12)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Acute Tubular Necrosis. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Acute Tubular Necrosis
N17-N19Primary Range
Acute kidney failure and chronic kidney disease
This range includes codes for acute kidney injuries, including ATN, which is a common form of acute kidney failure.
Complications of transplanted organs and tissues
This range includes codes for complications related to kidney transplants, which can include ATN as a post-transplant complication.
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 ATN is confirmed by clinical criteria such as FeNa >2% or biopsy findings. |
|
| T86.12 | Kidney transplant failure | Use when ATN occurs as a complication of a kidney transplant. |
|
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 tubular necrosis
Essential facts and insights about Acute Tubular Necrosis
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for acute renal failure trial network study
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Confirmed ATN via FeNa >2% or biopsy
coding Criteria
- Sequence after transplant complication codes if applicable
Applicable To
- Acute tubular necrosis
Excludes
- Chronic kidney disease (N18.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Increase in serum creatinine by ≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours
- Fractional excretion of sodium (FeNa) >2%
- Biopsy showing tubular epithelial cell sloughing
Code-Specific Risks
- Misclassification if documentation is vague
- Potential for incorrect sequencing with transplant codes
Coding Notes
- Ensure documentation specifies ATN to avoid defaulting to unspecified AKI codes.
T86.12 - Kidney transplant failure
Use when ATN occurs as a complication of a kidney transplant.
Applicable To
- Acute kidney transplant failure
Excludes
- Chronic kidney disease (N18.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Documented transplant status
- Exclusion of rejection via negative DSA
Coding Notes
Always sequence T86.12 before N17.0 when coding transplant-related ATN.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Acute Tubular Necrosis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code N17.0.
Impact
Clinical: Potential misdiagnosis of AKI type, Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards, Financial: Risk of claim denial due to insufficient documentation
Mitigation Strategy
Include FeNa results in all ATN cases, Educate providers on documentation standards
Impact
Reimbursement: Potential underpayment due to less specific coding, Compliance: Non-compliance with coding specificity guidelines, Data Quality: Decreased accuracy in clinical data reporting
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure documentation specifies ATN to use N17.0.
Impact
Incorrect sequencing of transplant and ATN codes.
Mitigation Strategy
Educate coders on proper sequencing rules.
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 Tubular Necrosis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Acute Tubular Necrosis
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Acute Tubular Necrosis. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Post-transplant ATN
Specialty: NephrologyRequired Elements
- Transplant status
- Serum creatinine levels
- FeNa results
- Biopsy findings
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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