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ICD-10 Coding for Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4(N18.4, I12.9, E11.22)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

CKD Stage IVChronic Renal Failure Stage 4Chronic Kidney Disease Roman Numeral 4renal failure stage 4ckd stage 4

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4

N18.1-N18.9Primary Range

Chronic kidney disease stages 1-5 and unspecified

This range includes all stages of chronic kidney disease, with N18.4 specifically representing stage 4.

Hypertensive chronic kidney disease

Used when hypertension is present with CKD, affecting coding and sequencing.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus with kidney complications

Relevant when diabetes is a causal factor for CKD.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
N18.4Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 (severe)Use when CKD stage 4 is documented by the provider with supporting eGFR values.
  • eGFR between 15-29 mL/min/1.73m²
  • Provider documentation of CKD stage 4
I12.9Hypertensive chronic kidney disease with stage 1-4 CKDUse when hypertension is documented as a contributing factor to CKD.
  • Diagnosis of hypertension
  • Documentation linking hypertension to CKD
E11.22Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic chronic kidney diseaseUse when diabetes is documented as a contributing factor to CKD.
  • Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
  • Documentation linking diabetes to CKD

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: CKD stage 4 ICD-10 code

Essential facts and insights about Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4

CKD stage 4 is coded as N18.4 in ICD-10. Additional codes may be needed for hypertension or diabetes.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for chronic kidney disease roman numeral 4

Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 (severe)
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • eGFR between 15-29 mL/min/1.73m²

documentation Criteria

  • Provider documentation of CKD stage 4

Applicable To

  • CKD stage 4

Excludes

  • End stage renal disease (N18.6)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • eGFR between 15-29 mL/min/1.73m²
  • Provider documentation of CKD stage 4

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding as ESRD if patient is on dialysis.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure CKD stage is explicitly documented by the provider.

Ancillary Codes

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

Dependence on renal dialysis

Z99.2
Use when the patient is dependent on dialysis.

Differential Codes

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

End stage renal disease

N18.6
Use N18.6 if the patient is on dialysis, indicating ESRD.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4 to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code N18.4.

Impact

Clinical: Ambiguity in clinical severity assessment., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential for reduced reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate providers on CKD staging documentation., Use templates that prompt for CKD stage.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Use N18.6 if the patient is on dialysis, indicating ESRD.

Impact

Reimbursement: May affect risk adjustment and reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate representation of patient's condition.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation specifies the causal relationship.

Impact

Failure to document CKD stage can lead to audit issues.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure all CKD diagnoses include stage documentation.

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 Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Hypertensive CKD Stage 4

Specialty: Nephrology

Required Elements

  • CKD stage
  • Causal condition (e.g., hypertension)
  • eGFR value

Example Documentation

Hypertensive chronic kidney disease, stage 4 (eGFR 18).

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
CKD, renal insufficiency
Good Documentation Example
Hypertensive chronic kidney disease, stage 4 (eGFR 18)
Explanation
The good example specifies the stage and causal condition, meeting documentation requirements.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4? Ask your questions below.

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