Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), also known as acute renal failure, is a critical condition in which kidneys suddenly stop functioning. Correct ICD-10 coding for kidney diseases is essential for proper diagnosis, billing, and insurance reimbursements. This comprehensive guide by Revantage Healthcare provides a deep dive into the latest ICD-10 codes for AKI, chronic kidney diseases, and related conditions, ensuring accuracy and compliance in medical coding.
What is Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)?
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a sudden deterioration in kidney function, commonly triggered by dehydration, infection, medication toxicity, or underlying chronic kidney issues. The correct ICD 10 code for AKI depends on the underlying cause and associated renal complications.
Common terms associated with AKI include:
ICD 10 AKI
Acute kidney injury ICD 10
ICD 10 code acute kidney injury
Acute kidney injury ICD 10 code
AKI ICD 10 code
ICD-10 Codes for Acute Kidney Failure (N17 series)
The ICD-10 coding system classifies AKI under the N17 category. Coders should select specific subtypes based on physician documentation:
N17.0: ICD 10 code for acute kidney failure with tubular necrosis
N17.1: ICD 10 code for acute kidney failure with acute cortical necrosis
N17.2: ICD 10 code for acute kidney failure with medullary necrosis
N17.8: ICD 10 code for other acute kidney failure
N17.9: ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury unspecified
Alternate search terms include:
ICD 10 code for acute renal failure
ICD 10 code for acute kidney failure unspecified
ICD 10 code for unspecified acute kidney failure
Coding Acute on Chronic Renal Failure
When AKI occurs in a patient with underlying chronic kidney disease (CKD), use a combination of codes to capture both conditions.
Examples include:
ICD 10 code for acute on chronic renal failure
ICD 10 code for acute renal failure with chronic kidney disease
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury with chronic kidney disease
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury with CKD
Common CKD-related codes:
N18.3: ICD 10 code for CKD stage 3
N18.4: ICD 10 code for CKD stage 4
N18.5: ICD 10 code for CKD stage 5
N18.6: ICD 10 code for end stage renal disease (ESRD)
Long-tail combinations:
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury with CKD stage 3
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury with CKD stage 4
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury with CKD stage 5
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury with end stage renal disease
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury with ESRD
Secondary Causes of AKI and Their ICD-10 Combinations
Coders often face challenges when AKI is caused by secondary conditions. Below are examples of how to document and code those accurately:
AKI due to Medical Conditions:
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to sepsis
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to hypotension
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to dehydration
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to infection
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to trauma
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to shock
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to heart failure
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to liver failure
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to pancreatitis
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to burns
AKI due to Medications & Toxic Agents:
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to medication
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to nephrotoxic drugs
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to ACE inhibitors
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to contrast
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to rhabdomyolysis
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to hemolysis
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to multiple organ failure
AKI due to Obstruction:
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to urinary tract obstruction
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to kidney stones
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to prostate enlargement
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to bladder obstruction
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to ureteral obstruction
Rare Causes and Autoimmune-Linked AKI
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to vasculitis
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to glomerulonephritis
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to interstitial nephritis
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to lupus nephritis
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to scleroderma
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to amyloidosis
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to thrombotic microangiopathy
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to hemolytic uremic syndrome
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to multiple myeloma
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to renal artery stenosis
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury due to renal vein thrombosis
Dialysis and Renal Replacement Therapy
When a patient with AKI undergoes dialysis or renal replacement therapy (RRT), coding should reflect this intervention:
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury with dialysis
ICD 10 code for acute kidney injury with renal replacement therapy
How to Code AKI with CKD in Real-World Scenarios
Medical coders often ask, “how to code AKI with CKD?” The answer involves assigning codes for both acute and chronic components based on the clinical documentation.
Example:
A patient presents with AKI due to dehydration on top of CKD stage 3. Use:
N17.9 for acute kidney failure unspecified
N18.3 for CKD stage 3
Add E86.0 for dehydration if documented
Why Accurate Coding Matters
Precise ICD-10 coding is vital for:
✔️ Correct diagnosis classification
✔️ Maximum reimbursement
✔️ Minimizing claim rejections
✔️ Legal compliance
✔️ Patient care optimization
At Revantage Healthcare, we offer specialized ICD-10 medical coding for nephrology, ensuring accuracy, audit-readiness, and revenue integrity. Our certified professionals stay updated on evolving coding guidelines, including AKI, CKD, ESRD, and dialysis.
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