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ICD-10 Coding for Atherosclerosis of the Abdominal Aorta(I70.0)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Atherosclerosis of the Abdominal Aorta. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Abdominal Aortic AtherosclerosisAortic Arteriosclerosis

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Atherosclerosis of the Abdominal Aorta

I70.0-I70.9Primary Range

Atherosclerosis

This range includes codes for atherosclerosis affecting various arteries, with I70.0 specifically for the aorta.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for atherosclerosis of abdominal aorta

Essential facts and insights about Atherosclerosis of the Abdominal Aorta

The ICD-10 code for atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta is I70.0.

Primary ICD-10-CM Code for atherosclerosis abdominal aorta

Atherosclerosis of aorta
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of calcified plaques in the abdominal aorta on imaging

documentation Criteria

  • Documentation must link imaging findings to clinical symptoms or treatment plans

Applicable To

  • Atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta

Excludes

  • Atherosclerosis of coronary arteries (I25.1-)
  • Atherosclerosis of cerebral arteries (I67.2)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Imaging evidence of plaque in the abdominal aorta
  • Clinical correlation with symptoms such as claudication

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding incidental findings without clinical relevance

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies the abdominal aorta to use I70.0.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm, without rupture

I71.4
Use alongside I70.0 if an aneurysm is present.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Generalized atherosclerosis

I70.9
Use I70.9 only if aortic involvement is not specified or confirmed.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Atherosclerosis of the Abdominal Aorta to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code I70.0.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment plans, Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards, Financial: Potential denial of claims

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure clinical symptoms are linked to imaging findings, Use templates to guide documentation

Impact

Reimbursement: Potential underpayment due to incorrect code selection, Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines, Data Quality: Inaccurate health records and statistics

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation specifies the abdominal aorta to use I70.0.

Impact

Coding atherosclerosis without clinical relevance

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation links findings to clinical management

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 Atherosclerosis of the Abdominal Aorta, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Atherosclerosis of the Abdominal Aorta

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Atherosclerosis of the Abdominal Aorta. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Radiology Report for Abdominal Aortic Atherosclerosis

Specialty: Radiology

Required Elements

  • Location of atherosclerosis
  • Severity and plaque characteristics
  • Associated conditions (e.g., aneurysm)

Example Documentation

CT scan shows severe atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta with calcified plaques and 70% stenosis.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Aortic atherosclerosis seen on imaging.
Good Documentation Example
Severe calcific atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta with 70% stenosis noted on CT.
Explanation
The good example specifies location, severity, and imaging modality.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Atherosclerosis of the Abdominal Aorta? Ask your questions below.

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