ICD-10 Coding for High Uric Acid(E79.0, M10.9, R79.9)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for High Uric Acid. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to High Uric Acid
E79.0Primary Range
Disorders of purine and pyrimidine metabolism
Primary code for asymptomatic hyperuricemia without signs of gout or tophi.
Abnormal findings of blood chemistry, unspecified
Used for unspecified abnormal blood test results, including elevated uric acid without a specific diagnosis.
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| E79.0 | Hyperuricemia without signs of inflammatory arthritis and tophaceous disease | Use when patient has elevated uric acid levels without symptoms of gout or tophi. |
|
| M10.9 | Gout, unspecified | Use when patient presents with symptoms of gout. |
|
| R79.9 | Abnormal findings of blood chemistry, unspecified | Use when elevated uric acid is noted but does not meet criteria for hyperuricemia. |
|
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 uric acid
Essential facts and insights about High Uric Acid
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for high uric acid
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Uric acid levels above threshold without symptoms.
coding Criteria
- No concurrent gout diagnosis.
Applicable To
- Asymptomatic hyperuricemia
Excludes
- Gout (M10.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Serum uric acid >7.0 mg/dL in men or >6.0 mg/dL in women
- Absence of gout symptoms
Code-Specific Risks
- Incorrectly coding when gout symptoms are present.
Coding Notes
- Ensure lab values and absence of symptoms are documented.
M10.9 - Gout, unspecified
Use when patient presents with symptoms of gout.
Applicable To
- Gouty arthritis
Excludes
- Hyperuricemia without gout (E79.0)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Presence of joint pain, tophi, or synovitis
- Confirmation of urate crystals
Coding Notes
Ensure symptoms and urate crystal confirmation are documented.
R79.9 - Abnormal findings of blood chemistry, unspecified
Use when elevated uric acid is noted but does not meet criteria for hyperuricemia.
Excludes
- Specific diagnoses like hyperuricemia (E79.0)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Elevated uric acid without meeting hyperuricemia criteria
Coding Notes
Use only when no specific diagnosis is confirmed.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Abnormal findings of blood chemistry, unspecified
R79.9Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting High Uric Acid to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code E79.0.
Impact
Clinical: Misrepresentation of patient's condition., Regulatory: Potential for audit issues., Financial: Risk of claim denials.
Mitigation Strategy
Always document symptom status., Include lab values in records.
Impact
Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.
Mitigation Strategy
Use M10.- codes for gout when symptoms are present.
Impact
Using E79.0 when gout symptoms are present.
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure thorough documentation of symptoms and lab values.
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 Uric Acid, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for High Uric Acid
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for High Uric Acid. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia
Specialty: EndocrinologyRequired Elements
- Serum uric acid levels
- Absence of joint symptoms
- Relevant comorbidities
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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