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ICD-10 Coding for Renal Insufficiency Unspecified(N28.9)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Renal Insufficiency Unspecified. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Kidney Dysfunction UnspecifiedRenal Impairment Unspecified

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Renal Insufficiency Unspecified

N28.9Primary Range

Disorder of kidney and ureter, unspecified

Used for unspecified renal insufficiency without documentation of chronicity, stage, or etiology.

Chronic kidney disease, unspecified

Used when 'chronic' is documented but without specific staging.

Acute kidney injury, unspecified

Used for acute kidney injury with sudden onset and significant creatinine rise.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for renal insufficiency unspecified

Essential facts and insights about Renal Insufficiency Unspecified

The ICD-10 code for renal insufficiency unspecified is N28.9, used when chronicity or acute onset is not documented.

Primary ICD-10-CM Code for renal insufficiency unspecified

Disorder of kidney and ureter, unspecified
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

documentation Criteria

  • Absence of 'chronic' or 'acute' in documentation.

clinical Criteria

  • eGFR between 45-59 mL/min without acute or chronic indicators.

Applicable To

  • Unspecified renal insufficiency

Excludes

  • Chronic kidney disease (N18.-)
  • Acute kidney injury (N17.-)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Serum creatinine 1.5-2.9 mg/dL
  • eGFR 45-59 mL/min

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification as chronic or acute without proper documentation.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation does not imply chronicity or acute onset unless specified.

Ancillary Codes

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

Essential (primary) hypertension

I10
Use when hypertension is documented alongside renal insufficiency.

Adverse effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, initial encounter

T45.1X5A
Use when medication toxicity is the cause of renal insufficiency.

Differential Codes

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

Chronic kidney disease, unspecified

N18.9
Requires documentation of 'chronic' renal insufficiency.

Acute kidney injury, unspecified

N17.9
Requires sudden onset and significant creatinine rise.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Renal Insufficiency Unspecified to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code N28.9.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment or monitoring., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for claim denials or incorrect reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate providers on the importance of documenting chronicity.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims or incorrect payment., Compliance: May result in non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Affects the accuracy of patient records and data reporting.

Mitigation Strategy

Verify documentation for terms like 'chronic' or 'acute' before coding.

Impact

Failure to document chronicity can lead to audit findings.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement regular training sessions for providers on documentation standards.

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 Renal Insufficiency Unspecified, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Renal Insufficiency Unspecified

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Renal Insufficiency Unspecified. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Primary Care Assessment

Specialty: Nephrology

Required Elements

  • Serum creatinine levels
  • eGFR values
  • Documentation of symptoms or lack thereof

Example Documentation

Assessment: Renal insufficiency, unspecified (N28.9) - Serum creatinine: 2.1 mg/dL, eGFR: 52 mL/min.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has renal insufficiency.
Good Documentation Example
Patient presents with renal insufficiency, serum creatinine 2.1 mg/dL, eGFR 52 mL/min.
Explanation
The good example provides specific lab values supporting the diagnosis.

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