ICD-10 Coding for High Creatinine(N17.9, N18.3, R79.89)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for High Creatinine. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to High Creatinine
N17-N19Primary Range
Acute kidney failure and chronic kidney disease
This range includes codes for acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), which are primary conditions associated with high creatinine levels.
Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis
This range includes codes for abnormal blood chemistry findings, such as elevated creatinine, when not linked to a specific kidney disease.
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| N17.9 | Acute kidney failure, unspecified | Use when there is a documented acute rise in creatinine meeting AKI criteria. |
|
| N18.3 | Chronic kidney disease, stage 3 (moderate) | Use for patients with documented CKD stage 3 based on eGFR. |
|
| R79.89 | Other specified abnormal findings of blood chemistry | Use when elevated creatinine is noted without a specific diagnosis of kidney disease. |
|
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 high creatinine
Essential facts and insights about High Creatinine
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for high creatinine
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Documented acute rise in creatinine
documentation Criteria
- Baseline creatinine level documented
Applicable To
- Acute renal failure
Excludes
- Chronic kidney disease (N18.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Increase in serum creatinine by ≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours
- Increase in serum creatinine to ≥1.5 times baseline
Code-Specific Risks
- Misclassification if baseline creatinine is not documented
Coding Notes
- Ensure documentation supports the acute nature of the kidney injury.
N18.3 - Chronic kidney disease, stage 3 (moderate)
Use for patients with documented CKD stage 3 based on eGFR.
Applicable To
- Moderate CKD
Excludes
- Acute kidney failure (N17.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- eGFR 30-59 mL/min/1.73 m² for more than 3 months
Coding Notes
Ensure chronicity is documented with consistent eGFR values.
R79.89 - Other specified abnormal findings of blood chemistry
Use when elevated creatinine is noted without a specific diagnosis of kidney disease.
Applicable To
- Elevated creatinine without specific diagnosis
Excludes
- Specific kidney disease codes (N17-N19)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Isolated elevation in creatinine without meeting criteria for AKI or CKD
Coding Notes
Ensure no specific kidney disease is documented before using this code.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Differential Codes
Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.
Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting High Creatinine to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code N17.9.
Impact
Clinical: Inaccurate assessment of kidney function changes, Regulatory: Potential for coding errors and audits, Financial: Missed opportunities for appropriate reimbursement
Mitigation Strategy
Always include baseline creatinine in documentation, Use templates to ensure completeness
Impact
Reimbursement: Potential underpayment due to lack of specificity, Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines, Data Quality: Inaccurate data representation of patient condition
Mitigation Strategy
Use the appropriate CKD stage code (e.g., N18.3) when CKD is documented.
Impact
Coding AKI without proper documentation of creatinine changes.
Mitigation Strategy
Implement documentation templates that include creatinine trends.
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 High Creatinine, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for High Creatinine
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for High Creatinine. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Acute Kidney Injury Documentation
Specialty: NephrologyRequired Elements
- Baseline creatinine level
- Current creatinine level
- Timeframe of change
- Underlying cause
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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