Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Dialysis(N18.6, Z99.2)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Dialysis. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5Renal Failure Requiring Dialysis

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Dialysis

N18.5-N18.6Primary Range

Chronic Kidney Disease, Stage 5 and End-Stage Renal Disease

This range includes codes for the most advanced stages of chronic kidney disease, specifically focusing on ESRD, which requires dialysis.

Dependence on Renal Dialysis

This code is used to indicate a patient's dependence on dialysis, which is essential for ESRD coding.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
N18.6End-stage renal diseaseUse when a patient has initiated dialysis for ESRD.
  • eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73m²
  • Patient on dialysis
Z99.2Dependence on renal dialysisUse with N18.6 to indicate ongoing dialysis dependence.
  • Documented dialysis schedule

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 ESRD on dialysis

Essential facts and insights about End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Dialysis

The ICD-10 code for ESRD on dialysis is N18.6, with Z99.2 for dialysis dependence.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for esrd dialysis

End-stage renal disease
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Patient has started dialysis treatment.

Applicable To

  • ESRD on dialysis

Excludes

  • Acute renal failure (N17.-)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73m²
  • Patient on dialysis

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly using N18.5 once dialysis has started

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation explicitly states dialysis initiation.

Ancillary Codes

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

Dependence on renal dialysis

Z99.2
Always use with N18.6 to indicate dialysis dependence.

Differential Codes

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

Chronic kidney disease, stage 5

N18.5
Use N18.5 only if the patient has not yet started dialysis.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Dialysis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code N18.6.

Impact

Clinical: Misrepresentation of patient's treatment status, Regulatory: Potential audit issues, Financial: Loss of reimbursement

Mitigation Strategy

Regularly update patient records with dialysis status, Use templates for consistent documentation

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect reimbursement due to misclassification, Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines, Data Quality: Inaccurate patient records

Mitigation Strategy

Confirm dialysis initiation and use N18.6 with Z99.2.

Impact

Failure to document dialysis dependency can lead to audit flags.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement regular audits of patient records to ensure compliance.

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 End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Dialysis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Dialysis

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Dialysis. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

ESRD Patient on Hemodialysis

Specialty: Nephrology

Required Elements

  • Patient's dialysis schedule
  • Type of vascular access
  • Underlying cause of ESRD

Example Documentation

Patient with ESRD on hemodialysis via AV fistula, secondary to diabetes.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has CKD stage 5.
Good Documentation Example
Patient has ESRD (N18.6) on hemodialysis 3x/week due to diabetic nephropathy (E11.22).
Explanation
The good example specifies ESRD status, dialysis type, and underlying cause.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Dialysis? Ask your questions below.

Ask about any ICD-10 CM code, or paste a medical note

We build tools for
clinician happiness.

Learn More at Freed.ai
Back to HomeBeta

Built by Freed

Try Freed for free for 7 days.

Learn more