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ICD-10 Coding for Peripheral Vascular Disease(I70.2xx, E11.51, L97.x)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Peripheral Vascular Disease. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

PVDPeripheral Artery DiseasePAD

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Peripheral Vascular Disease

I70-I79Primary Range

Diseases of arteries, arterioles, and capillaries

Includes atherosclerosis and other peripheral vascular diseases affecting the extremities.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus with circulatory complications

Used when PVD is associated with diabetes mellitus.

Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified

Used for documenting ulcers associated with PVD.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
I70.2xxAtherosclerosis of extremitiesUse when atherosclerosis is confirmed with symptoms like claudication, rest pain, ulceration, or gangrene.
  • ABI ≤ 0.90
  • Duplex ultrasound showing >50% stenosis
  • Ulcer measurement and location
E11.51Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic peripheral angiopathy without gangreneUse when PVD is linked to diabetes without gangrene.
  • HbA1c > 6.5%
  • Clinical documentation linking diabetes to PVD
L97.xNon-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classifiedUse to specify ulcer characteristics when associated with PVD.
  • Ulcer location and depth documented
  • Associated with PVD or diabetes

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 peripheral vascular disease

Essential facts and insights about Peripheral Vascular Disease

The ICD-10 code for peripheral vascular disease, unspecified, is I73.9. For atherosclerotic PVD, use I70.2xx, and for diabetic PVD, use E11.51 or E11.52 depending on the presence of gangrene.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for peripheral vascular disease

Atherosclerosis of extremities
Non-billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of atherosclerosis confirmed by imaging or ABI.

documentation Criteria

  • Detailed description of symptoms and ulcer characteristics if present.

Applicable To

  • Atherosclerosis with intermittent claudication
  • Atherosclerosis with rest pain
  • Atherosclerosis with ulceration
  • Atherosclerosis with gangrene

Excludes

  • Diabetic peripheral angiopathy (E11.51)
  • Non-atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease (I73.9)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • ABI ≤ 0.90
  • Duplex ultrasound showing >50% stenosis
  • Ulcer measurement and location

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding as I73.9 when atherosclerosis is documented

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies laterality and vessel type (native vs graft).

Ancillary Codes

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

Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb

L97.x
Use to specify ulcer location and depth when associated with PVD.

Differential Codes

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

Peripheral vascular disease, unspecified

I73.9
Use only when PVD is non-atherosclerotic and without diabetes or complications.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic peripheral angiopathy with gangrene

E11.52
Use when gangrene is present in addition to diabetic PVD.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Peripheral Vascular Disease to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code I70.2xx.

Impact

Clinical: Misleading clinical status of the patient., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims.

Mitigation Strategy

Use 'active atherosclerotic PVD with [symptoms]' instead of 'history of PVD.'

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to lower reimbursement rates., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate data affecting patient records and statistics.

Mitigation Strategy

Use E11.51 or E11.52 depending on the presence of gangrene.

Impact

Reimbursement: Potential for denied claims due to insufficient documentation., Compliance: Failure to meet documentation standards., Data Quality: Incomplete patient records.

Mitigation Strategy

Document ulcer location and depth explicitly.

Impact

Using unspecified codes when specific codes are applicable.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure detailed documentation and use of specific codes.

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 Peripheral Vascular Disease, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Peripheral Vascular Disease

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Peripheral Vascular Disease. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Vascular Surgery H&P

Specialty: Vascular Surgery

Required Elements

  • Claudication distance and characteristics
  • Rest pain details
  • Ulceration location and depth
  • Gangrene type and location
  • Pulses and ABI measurements
  • Imaging results

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has leg pain.
Good Documentation Example
Patient reports left calf claudication after 100 meters. ABI 0.65 left leg. Duplex shows 80% stenosis of left superficial femoral artery.
Explanation
The good example provides specific details about symptoms, diagnostic tests, and imaging results, which are necessary for accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Peripheral Vascular Disease? Ask your questions below.

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