ICD-10 Coding for Kidney Injury(N17.0, N17.9)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Kidney Injury. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Kidney Injury
N17-N19Primary Range
Acute kidney failure and chronic kidney disease
This range includes codes for acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, which are critical for accurate diagnosis and treatment documentation.
Injury of kidney
This range is used for traumatic kidney injuries, distinguishing them from non-traumatic acute kidney injuries.
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| N17.0 | Acute kidney failure with tubular necrosis | Use when tubular necrosis is confirmed by biopsy or clinical indicators. |
|
| N17.9 | Acute kidney failure, unspecified | Use when acute kidney failure is documented without specifying the type. |
|
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 acute kidney injury
Essential facts and insights about Kidney Injury
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for kidney injury
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Presence of tubular necrosis confirmed by biopsy or clinical indicators
Applicable To
- Acute tubular necrosis
Excludes
- Chronic kidney disease (N18.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Biopsy or clinical indicators confirming tubular necrosis
- Serum creatinine increase
Code-Specific Risks
- Misclassification if tubular necrosis is not confirmed
Coding Notes
- Ensure documentation specifies tubular necrosis.
N17.9 - Acute kidney failure, unspecified
Use when acute kidney failure is documented without specifying the type.
Applicable To
- Acute renal failure NOS
Excludes
- Chronic kidney disease (N18.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Serum creatinine increase
- Urine output decrease
Coding Notes
Document specific clinical indicators to avoid unspecified coding.
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 Kidney Injury to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code N17.0.
Impact
Clinical: Impairs assessment of AKI severity and progression., Regulatory: May lead to coding errors and compliance issues., Financial: Potentially affects reimbursement due to inaccurate DRG assignment.
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure baseline creatinine is documented in all AKI cases., Use standardized templates to capture necessary data.
Impact
Reimbursement: May lead to reduced reimbursement due to lack of specificity., Compliance: Increases risk of non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Affects the quality of healthcare data and patient records.
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure documentation specifies the type of kidney injury for accurate coding.
Impact
Risk of audits due to use of unspecified codes when specific information is available.
Mitigation Strategy
Enhance documentation practices to include specific AKI types and clinical indicators.
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 Kidney Injury, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Kidney Injury
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Kidney Injury. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Acute Kidney Injury Documentation
Specialty: NephrologyRequired Elements
- Patient history
- Baseline and current creatinine levels
- Urine output
- Etiology of AKI
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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