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N13.30
ICD-10-CM
Hydronephrosis

Understanding hydronephrosis diagnosis, treatment, and medical coding? Find information on hydronephrosis ICD-10 codes, clinical documentation requirements, renal ultrasound findings, ureteral obstruction causes, and treatment options including nephrostomy tube placement. Learn about hydronephrosis stages, symptoms, and prognosis. This resource provides healthcare professionals with essential information for accurate hydronephrosis diagnosis coding and patient care.

Also known as

Renal Pelvis Dilation
Kidney Swelling

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Swelling of a kidney due to urine buildup.
  • Clinical Signs : May be asymptomatic, flank pain, urinary tract infection, nausea.
  • Common Settings : Kidney stones, congenital blockage, tumors, pregnancy.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC N13.30 Coding
N13.0-N13.7

Hydronephrosis

Dilatation of the renal pelvis and calyces.

Q62.0-Q62.9

Congenital anomalies of kidney

Birth defects affecting kidney structure, often causing hydronephrosis.

N00-N99

Diseases of the genitourinary system

Encompasses various urinary tract disorders, including hydronephrosis.

R39.8

Other urinary symptoms

Includes unspecified urinary issues that might be linked to hydronephrosis.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is hydronephrosis unilateral or bilateral?

  • Unilateral

    Obstruction specified?

  • Bilateral

    Obstruction specified?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Swelling of kidney due to urine buildup
Kidney stones obstructing urinary tract
Narrowing of ureter obstructing urine flow

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Hydronephrosis diagnosis code, laterality
  • Hydronephrosis etiology documented
  • Severity of hydronephrosis specified
  • Imaging evidence supporting diagnosis
  • Antegrade, retrograde or both documented if caused by obstruction

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Laterality Coding Errors

    Incorrect coding for the affected kidney (right, left, or bilateral) can lead to inaccurate claims and denials. ICD-10 laterality coding is crucial for hydronephrosis.

  • Unspecified Hydronephrosis

    Coding with unspecified codes when a more specific cause or stage is documented leads to loss of data specificity for quality reporting and reimbursement.

  • Obstruction Code Missing

    Failing to code the underlying obstructive cause (e.g., stone, stricture) along with hydronephrosis leads to undercoding and missed CC/MCC capture.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document laterality, severity, and etiology for accurate ICD-10 coding (N13.x).
  • Ensure complete CDI of hydronephrosis cause, including obstruction or reflux.
  • Monitor, document, and code associated conditions like UTI or kidney stones.
  • Timely follow-up imaging and intervention crucial for optimal patient outcomes and compliance.
  • Regular physician documentation supports medical necessity for procedures and accurate reimbursement.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify laterality (unilateral/bilateral) and level of obstruction.
  • Confirm imaging findings: renal pelvic dilation, calyceal distension.
  • Assess renal function (serum creatinine, eGFR).
  • Document cause of obstruction (e.g., stone, stricture).
  • Evaluate for infection (urinalysis, temperature).

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Hydronephrosis reimbursement hinges on accurate ICD-10-CM (N41.x) and CPT coding for procedures like nephrostomy or stent placement, impacting hospital case mix index.
  • Coding quality affects hydronephrosis claims denial rates. Specificity in laterality (right, left, bilateral) and etiology is crucial for appropriate payment.
  • Hydronephrosis severity documentation influences hospital quality reporting regarding complications like acute kidney injury or infection, impacting public ratings.
  • Precise hydronephrosis coding supports data analysis for length of stay, resource utilization, and readmission rates, informing process improvement initiatives.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code laterality: hydronephrosis
  • Specify obstruction cause if known
  • Document severity (mild, moderate, severe)
  • Check for associated UTI coding
  • Consider ultrasound/imaging codes

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with [chief complaint related to hydronephrosis, e.g., flank pain, abdominal pain, urinary tract infection, hematuria].  Review of systems reveals [positive findings, e.g., nausea, vomiting, dysuria, frequency, urgency] and pertinent negatives include [negative findings].  Past medical history includes [relevant past medical history, e.g., kidney stones, nephrolithiasis, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, posterior urethral valves, vesicoureteral reflux, prostate enlargement, bladder outlet obstruction].  Family history is significant for [relevant family history, e.g., polycystic kidney disease].  Medications include [list medications].  Physical exam reveals [relevant findings, e.g., costovertebral angle tenderness, palpable abdominal mass].  Preliminary diagnosis of hydronephrosis is suspected.  Ordered renal ultrasound to evaluate for hydronephrosis severity, assess renal pelvis dilation, and identify any underlying obstructive uropathy.  Differential diagnoses include pyelonephritis, renal cyst, renal tumor, and other causes of urinary tract obstruction.  Will consider CT urogram if ultrasound is inconclusive.  Patient education provided regarding hydronephrosis symptoms, causes, treatment options including ureteral stenting or nephrostomy tube placement, and potential complications like kidney damage or infection.  Plan to discuss management based on imaging results and follow up in [timeframe] to reassess and adjust treatment as needed.  ICD-10 code N49.  CPT codes for potential procedures such as renal ultrasound 76770, CT urogram 74177, ureteral stent placement 50398, and nephrostomy tube placement 50392 may be applicable depending on the course of treatment.
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