ICD-10 Coding for Acute Kidney Injury on Chronic Kidney Disease(N17.9, N18.3)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Acute Kidney Injury on Chronic Kidney Disease. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Acute Kidney Injury on Chronic Kidney Disease
N17-N19Primary Range
Acute kidney failure and chronic kidney disease
This range includes codes for both acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, which are essential for coding AKI on CKD.
Diabetes mellitus
Relevant for coding diabetic nephropathy when diabetes is the underlying cause of CKD.
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 AKI is documented without further specification. |
|
| N18.3 | Chronic kidney disease, stage 3 (moderate) | Use when CKD stage 3 is documented. |
|
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: How do you code acute kidney injury on chronic kidney disease?
Essential facts and insights about Acute Kidney Injury on Chronic Kidney Disease
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for acute kidney injury on chronic kidney disease
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Documented increase in creatinine and/or reduced urine output.
Applicable To
- Acute renal failure NOS
Excludes
- Chronic kidney disease (N18.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Increase in serum creatinine by ≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours
- Urine output <0.5 mL/kg/hr for 6 hours
Code-Specific Risks
- Risk of under-coding if specific type of AKI is documented but not coded.
Coding Notes
- Ensure AKI is documented as the primary condition if it is the focus of care.
N18.3 - Chronic kidney disease, stage 3 (moderate)
Use when CKD stage 3 is documented.
Applicable To
- Moderate CKD
Excludes
- Acute kidney failure (N17.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- GFR 30-59 mL/min/1.73 m² for 3 months or more
Coding Notes
Document the stage of CKD clearly to ensure accurate coding.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Acute Kidney Injury on Chronic Kidney Disease 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., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for reduced reimbursement.
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure CKD stage is always documented., Use templates that prompt for CKD stage.
Impact
Reimbursement: Potential underpayment due to lack of specificity., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines requiring specificity., Data Quality: Poor data quality affecting clinical decision-making.
Mitigation Strategy
Review documentation for specific types of AKI and use more specific codes if available.
Impact
Risk of coding AKI without sufficient clinical validation.
Mitigation Strategy
Implement regular audits of AKI coding practices.
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 Acute Kidney Injury on Chronic Kidney Disease, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Acute Kidney Injury on Chronic Kidney Disease
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Acute Kidney Injury on Chronic Kidney Disease. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
AKI on CKD in a nephrology consult
Specialty: NephrologyRequired Elements
- Document baseline creatinine
- Specify AKI type if known
- Include CKD stage
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
Need help with ICD-10 coding for Acute Kidney Injury on Chronic Kidney Disease? Ask your questions below.