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ICD-10 Coding for Kidney Mass(C64.1, N28.89)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Kidney Mass. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Renal MassRenal Lesionrenal tumorkidney tumor

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Kidney Mass

C64-C65Primary Range

Malignant neoplasms of kidney and renal pelvis

Primary range for coding malignant kidney masses, including renal cell carcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma.

Other disorders of kidney and ureter

Used for benign kidney masses or unspecified renal disorders.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
C64.1Malignant neoplasm of right kidney, except renal pelvisUse when imaging confirms a malignant mass in the right kidney.
  • CT/MRI showing solid component with enhancement >15 HU
  • Biopsy confirmation of malignancy
N28.89Other specified disorders of kidney and ureterUse for benign or unspecified renal masses.
  • Ultrasound/CT showing simple cyst or non-enhancing lesion

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 kidney mass

Essential facts and insights about Kidney Mass

The ICD-10 code for a malignant kidney mass is C64.1 for the right kidney and C64.2 for the left kidney.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for mass kidney

Malignant neoplasm of right kidney, except renal pelvis
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of solid renal mass with enhancement on imaging

documentation Criteria

  • Biopsy results confirming malignancy

Applicable To

  • Renal cell carcinoma of right kidney

Excludes

  • Malignant neoplasm of renal pelvis (C65.1)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • CT/MRI showing solid component with enhancement >15 HU
  • Biopsy confirmation of malignancy

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrect laterality coding if imaging is not reviewed.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure laterality is documented in imaging reports.

Ancillary Codes

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

Follow-up examination after treatment for malignant neoplasm

Z08
Use for surveillance post-tumor resection.

Differential Codes

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

Malignant neoplasm of right renal pelvis

C65.1
Use when the tumor is located in the renal pelvis, not the kidney parenchyma.

Malignant neoplasm of unspecified kidney

C64.9
Use when malignancy is confirmed but laterality is unspecified.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Kidney Mass to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code C64.1.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to misclassification of mass type., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential reimbursement issues due to incorrect coding.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure radiology reports include enhancement characteristics., Train staff on importance of detailed imaging documentation.

Impact

Reimbursement: May affect DRG assignment and reimbursement rates., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of clinical data.

Mitigation Strategy

Review imaging reports to confirm laterality before coding.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect size may affect staging and reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical records.

Mitigation Strategy

Use operative notes for accurate tumor size documentation.

Impact

Failure to code laterality correctly can lead to audit flags.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement double-check system for laterality in imaging reports.

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 Mass, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Kidney Mass

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Kidney Mass. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Radiology report for renal mass

Specialty: Radiology

Required Elements

  • Mass size
  • Enhancement characteristics
  • Bosniak classification
  • Fat content
  • Proximity to sinus/collecting system

Example Documentation

1. Mass size: 4.2 cm in upper pole 2. Enhancement: Solid (45 HU) 3. Bosniak class: IIF 4. Fat content: None 5. Sinus proximity: 0.5 cm

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Renal mass seen
Good Documentation Example
2.5 cm solid exophytic left renal mass with 45 HU enhancement on corticomedullary phase CT
Explanation
The good example provides specific size, location, and enhancement details necessary for accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Kidney Mass? Ask your questions below.

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