Forum - Questions & Answers

Nov 24th, 2009 - cbishop 3 

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.

Nov 24th, 2009 - nmaguire   2,606 

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.



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