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Hypertension ICD 10 Code
Refresher: What are ICD-10 codes?
Currently, the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) is on its 10th revision, ICD-10. The ICD-10 coding system is generated to categorize diagnosis, symptoms, and procedures. The World Health Organization created the coding system, which is used to help medical professionals, clinical researchers, and other healthcare providers covered under HIPAA to identify and classify medical conditions.
The “CM” in the code refers to “Clinical Modification,” which is used for diagnosing diseases in the United States. The system also has ICD-10-PCS codes, which are used to code procedures in in-patient environments.
Both these coding systems can be used for statistical purposes as well as making medical insurance claims. Typically, the ICD-10 has different codes for primary cancers or malignant neoplasms and for secondary cancers or secondary malignant neoplasms.
ICD-10 is also subject to several modifications to ensure the classification system remains accurate and up to date. The system is quite comprehensive and not just codes physical body illnesses but also psychiatric health disorders.
The ICD-10 code replaced the previous ICD-9 code, which was not as precise or detailed as the current version.
What is the ICD 10 code for hypertension?
For essential (primary) hypertension, the general ICD 10 code is CI10. I10 is a billable code that is used to show the diagnosis of hypertension for the purpose of making medical claims.
In ICD-9, the related coding for hypertension were 401.10 for malignant hypertension, 401.1 for benign hypertension, and 401.9 for unspecified hypertension. However, in the medical world, it is understood that hypertension is never truly “benign” [1]. As such, In the ICD-10 version, hypertension is denoted with a single code for individuals who fall under the criteria of hypertension and who do not have comorbid kidney or heart disease.
Primary hypertension ICD 10 code: CI10
Primary hypertension ICD 10 code CI10 lookup
The essential or primary hypertension is classified by ICD-10 code CI0. This includes high blood pressure, but does not include elevated blood pressure associated with prehypertension (that is classified by the ICD-10 code R03.0). If an individual progresses from elevated blood pressure without a diagnosis of hypertension to a formal diagnosis of hypertension, the best practice of documentation would require stating the reason for the formal hypertension diagnosis.
Apart from hypertension classified as CI10, there are also codes for hypertensive diseases, some of which are associated with comorbidity [2].
CI10 -CI16: Hypertensive Diseases
Types of hypertension included under CI10
Essential (primary) hypertension is the only type of hypertensive disease that is classified under CI10. This includes high blood pressure and essential, benign, malignant, arterial, or systemic hypertension.
Hypertension excluded from CI10
Several specific types of hypertension are excluded from CI10 classification. Type 1 Excludes are hypertensive diseases relating to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. These hypertensive diseases are classified as C011 (pre-existing hypertension with pre-eclampsia) [3], C013 (gestational hypertension without significant proteinuria) [4], and C016 (unspecified maternal hypertension) [5].
There are also Type 2 Excludes which refer to essential (primary) hypertension involving vessels in the brain and are coded CI60- CI69 under cerebovascular diseases; and essential (primary) hypertension involving vessels of the eye, which is coded H35 and consists of several retinal disorders.
Conclusion
The ICD-10 code for hypertension is I10. This refers to blood pressure higher than 140 during systole and 90 during diastole. Hypertension of high blood pressure generally has no symptoms which is what makes it so dangerous. This condition can harm a patient’s arteries and can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, blindness, and kidney failure.
By practicing a healthy lifestyle and taking medication if necessary, patients can control hypertension.
If the patient was diagnosed with prehypertension, which is elevated blood pressure without a diagnosis of hypertension (occurring between 120 and 139 during systole and 80 and 89 during diastole), but their condition progressed to a formal diagnosis of hypertension, then it is important to know the cause of the progression in order to assign the ICD code correctly.