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HTN urgency vs. HTN emergency
What is the correct Dx code for hypertensive urgency? The description I have for each is as follows:
HTN Emergency is a severe elevation in blood pressure complicated by evidence of impending or progressive target organ dysfunction.
HTN Urgency is a severe elevation in blood pressure WITHOUT progressive target organ dysfunction.
So coding HTN emergency is easy, ICD9 401.0 Malignant hypertension defined as "severe high arterial blood pressure; results in necrosis in kidney, retina, etc."
But ICD9 401.1 Benign hypertension is defined as MILDLY elevated arterial blood pressure.
Htn
hypertension is either "Benign", "malignant" or "unspecified". If the physician does not document malignant hypertension or accelerated hypertension (401.0)--it cannot be billed. If "benign" is documented code 401.1. Other than these terms you code to 401.9.