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

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

Also known as:

Aortic AtherosclerosisAortic Arteriosclerosis

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Atherosclerosis of Aorta

I70-I79Primary Range

Diseases of arteries, arterioles, and capillaries

This range includes atherosclerosis of the aorta and other peripheral vascular diseases.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for atherosclerosis of aorta

Essential facts and insights about Atherosclerosis of Aorta

The ICD-10 code for atherosclerosis of the aorta is I70.0, covering both thoracic and abdominal sections.

Primary ICD-10-CM Code for atherosclerosis of aorta

Atherosclerosis of aorta
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Plaque thickness and luminal narrowing confirmed by imaging.

documentation Criteria

  • Specify aortic section and severity in documentation.

Applicable To

  • Atherosclerosis of thoracic aorta
  • Atherosclerosis of abdominal aorta

Excludes

  • Aortic aneurysm (I71.-)
  • Aortic valve disease (I35.0)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Imaging confirmation (CTA/MRA) showing plaque thickness ≥3 mm
  • Luminal narrowing ≥50%
  • LDL cholesterol ≥190 mg/dL

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding for aortic valve disease instead of vessel wall atherosclerosis.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies the aortic section involved and severity.

Ancillary Codes

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

Essential (primary) hypertension

I10
Use when hypertension is documented as contributing to aortic atherosclerosis.

Tobacco use

Z72.0
Use if the patient is an active smoker.

Differential Codes

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

Atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary artery without angina pectoris

I25.10
Use for coronary artery involvement, not aortic.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Atherosclerosis of 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: Leads to misinterpretation of the patient's condition., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific terms like 'thoracic' or 'abdominal'., Document imaging findings clearly.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to claim denials., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Code I70.0 only for vessel wall atherosclerosis; use I35.0 for valve calcification.

Impact

Lack of specificity can lead to audit flags.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure detailed documentation of aortic section and severity.

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 Aorta, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Atherosclerosis of Aorta

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

Aortic Atherosclerosis with Claudication

Specialty: Cardiology

Required Elements

  • Location of atherosclerosis
  • Severity and symptoms
  • Imaging findings
  • Comorbid conditions

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has aortic atherosclerosis.
Good Documentation Example
CT angiography reveals severe calcific atherosclerosis of the descending thoracic aorta (70% stenosis), correlating with intermittent claudication.
Explanation
The good example specifies the location, severity, and correlates with symptoms.

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

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