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ICD-10 Coding for Superior Mesenteric Artery Stenosis(K55.1, I77.1)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Superior Mesenteric Artery Stenosis. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

SMA StenosisChronic Mesenteric Ischemiamesenteric artery narrowing

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Superior Mesenteric Artery Stenosis

K55-K64Primary Range

Diseases of the intestines

Includes chronic and acute vascular disorders of the intestine, relevant for SMA stenosis.

Diseases of arteries, arterioles, and capillaries

Includes stenosis of arteries, relevant for specifying vascular etiology in SMA stenosis.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
K55.1Chronic vascular disorders of intestineUse when chronic symptoms and imaging confirm SMA stenosis.
  • Chronic postprandial abdominal pain lasting ≥1 hour
  • CTA-confirmed SMA stenosis ≥70%
I77.1Stenosis of superior mesenteric arteryUse to specify the vascular cause of mesenteric ischemia.
  • CTA or MRA showing stenosis ≥70%

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 SMA stenosis

Essential facts and insights about Superior Mesenteric Artery Stenosis

The ICD-10 code for chronic SMA stenosis is K55.1, used when chronic symptoms and imaging confirm stenosis.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for sequential multiple analysis

Chronic vascular disorders of intestine
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Chronic postprandial pain with imaging confirmation

Applicable To

  • Chronic mesenteric ischemia

Excludes

  • Acute vascular disorders of intestine (K55.0)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Chronic postprandial abdominal pain lasting ≥1 hour
  • CTA-confirmed SMA stenosis ≥70%

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding acute conditions as chronic

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation supports chronicity and imaging findings.

Ancillary Codes

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

Stenosis of superior mesenteric artery

I77.1
Use to specify the vascular etiology of SMA stenosis.

Differential Codes

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

Acute vascular disorders of intestine

K55.0
Use for acute presentations with metabolic acidosis.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Superior Mesenteric Artery Stenosis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code K55.1.

Impact

Clinical: Misdiagnosis of chronic vs. acute conditions., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Financial: Potential claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure imaging is reviewed and documented., Use templates to prompt for imaging details.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to denied claims due to lack of specificity., Compliance: Risk of audit failure due to insufficient documentation., Data Quality: Inaccurate data on chronic conditions.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation includes chronicity and imaging findings.

Impact

Failure to document chronic symptoms may trigger audits.

Mitigation Strategy

Use templates to ensure chronicity is documented.

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 Superior Mesenteric Artery Stenosis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Superior Mesenteric Artery Stenosis

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Superior Mesenteric Artery Stenosis. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia Evaluation

Specialty: Vascular Surgery

Required Elements

  • History of postprandial pain
  • Imaging findings
  • Weight loss documentation

Example Documentation

Patient presents with 6-month history of postprandial pain, CTA shows 80% SMA stenosis.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has abdominal pain.
Good Documentation Example
Patient reports postprandial pain lasting 90 mins, CTA shows 80% SMA stenosis.
Explanation
The good example provides specific symptom duration and imaging confirmation.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Superior Mesenteric Artery Stenosis? Ask your questions below.

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