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E21.3
ICD-10-CM
Hyperparathyroidism

Find information on hyperparathyroidism diagnosis, including clinical documentation requirements, medical coding guidelines, and healthcare best practices. Learn about relevant ICD-10 codes, SNOMED CT concepts, and laboratory testing for primary, secondary, and tertiary hyperparathyroidism. This resource provides guidance on calcium levels, parathyroid hormone PTH measurement, and surgical management considerations for accurate hyperparathyroidism diagnosis and documentation.

Also known as

Parathyroid disease
Parathyroid disorder

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Overactive parathyroid glands cause high blood calcium.
  • Clinical Signs : Often asymptomatic. May include fatigue, weakness, kidney stones, bone pain.
  • Common Settings : Primary care, endocrinology clinics, nephrology.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC E21.3 Coding
E21.0-E21.5

Hyperparathyroidism

Overactive parathyroid glands causing high calcium levels.

E83.5

Disorders of calcium metabolism

Includes conditions related to abnormal calcium levels in the body.

M89.8

Other specified disorders of bone

Can include bone changes related to hyperparathyroidism.

D44.0-D44.9

Neoplasms of uncertain behavior of endocrine glands

May be relevant for certain parathyroid tumors.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the hyperparathyroidism primary?

  • Yes

    Is it due to neoplasm?

  • No

    Is it secondary?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
High blood calcium due to overactive parathyroid glands
Malignancy-related hypercalcemia
Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Elevated serum calcium: Document total and ionized levels.
  • Elevated PTH: Include method and lab reference range.
  • Signs/symptoms: Specify bone pain, kidney stones, fatigue.
  • Imaging: Document bone density scans, renal ultrasounds.
  • Related diagnoses: Note osteoporosis, renal insufficiency.

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Incorrect Calcium Coding

    Elevated calcium (ICD-10-CM E83.51) is crucial for hyperparathyroidism diagnosis and must be accurately documented and coded for proper reimbursement.

  • Unspecified Parathyroidism

    Coding unspecified hyperparathyroidism (E21.3) when a more specific diagnosis (e.g., primary, secondary) is documented leads to under-reporting severity and impacts quality metrics.

  • Missed Bone Density Dx

    Failing to code associated osteoporosis or osteopenia (M80-M82) when present with hyperparathyroidism may result in lost revenue and inaccurate reflection of patient complexity.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document ALL hypercalcemia symptoms for accurate ICD-10-CM coding (E83.5).
  • Order ionized calcium, NOT total calcium, for initial diagnosis. ICD-10-CM E83.51
  • Confirm elevated PTH levels with repeat testing for compliance, avoid E83.50 miscoding.
  • Document neck ultrasound findings for localization, improve CDI for surgical planning.
  • Ensure clear documentation of primary, secondary, or tertiary type for proper coding (E83.5x).

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Elevated serum calcium: Verify >10.5 mg/dL
  • Low serum phosphorus: Check if <2.5 mg/dL
  • Elevated PTH: Confirm with lab result
  • Check for kidney stones, fragility fractures documentation
  • Review patient symptoms: Weakness, fatigue, bone pain

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Hyperparathyroidism reimbursement hinges on accurate ICD-10-CM (E21.-) and CPT coding for parathyroidectomy (60500-60540) or related procedures, impacting medical billing revenue cycle.
  • Proper coding of primary (E21.0), secondary (E21.1), and tertiary (E21.2) hyperparathyroidism ensures correct hospital reporting and financial outcomes.
  • Quality metrics for hyperparathyroidism include pre- and post-operative calcium levels, impacting hospital quality reporting and potential value-based reimbursements.
  • Accurate documentation of symptoms, lab results, and surgical approach impacts hyperparathyroidism claims processing and reduces denial rates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions and Answers

Q: What are the most reliable differential diagnosis strategies for primary hyperparathyroidism mimicking other common conditions?

A: Differentiating primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) from conditions like osteoporosis, kidney stones, depression, or other causes of hypercalcemia requires a strategic approach. Start by thoroughly evaluating serum calcium, ionized calcium, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Persistently elevated calcium and PTH are strong indicators of PHPT. However, consider other causes of hypercalcemia, such as malignancy, familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH), and medications. Distinguishing FHH from PHPT involves assessing the urinary calcium creatinine clearance ratio. Imaging studies, such as sestamibi scans and neck ultrasounds, can localize parathyroid adenomas. Bone mineral density testing helps assess skeletal involvement, differentiating PHPT from primary osteoporosis. Explore how integrating these diagnostic tests can improve the accuracy of PHPT diagnosis and guide treatment decisions. Consider implementing a diagnostic algorithm that includes these steps to rule out other common conditions and accurately pinpoint PHPT.

Q: How do recent advancements in minimally invasive parathyroidectomy techniques impact surgical decision-making in patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism?

A: Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy techniques, including focused parathyroidectomy and radioguided parathyroidectomy, have significantly impacted surgical decision-making for asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism. These approaches offer reduced surgical trauma, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery compared to traditional bilateral neck exploration. This has led to expanding surgical indications for asymptomatic patients, particularly those meeting specific criteria outlined in the Fourth International Workshop on Asymptomatic Primary Hyperparathyroidism. Factors like age, serum calcium levels above 1 mg/dL above the upper limit of normal, reduced creatinine clearance, osteoporosis, and presence of kidney stones now play a crucial role in guiding surgical decisions. Learn more about the latest guidelines and advancements in minimally invasive techniques to determine the optimal approach for individual patient needs.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code primary hyperparathyroidism with E21.0
  • Secondary hyperparathyroidism is coded E83.5
  • Document serum calcium, PTH levels
  • Look for nephrolithiasis, osteoporosis
  • Check for bone density scan results

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with symptoms suggestive of primary hyperparathyroidism including fatigue, muscle weakness, and constipation.  The patient reports decreased energy levels and difficulty concentrating.  Gastrointestinal complaints include constipation and decreased appetite.  Musculoskeletal symptoms include generalized weakness and vague bone pain.  Review of systems also reveals a history of kidney stones and nephrolithiasis.  On physical examination, the patient appears well-nourished but reports mild tenderness on palpation of the neck.  Laboratory findings reveal elevated serum calcium, elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH), and decreased serum phosphorus.  Vitamin D levels were within normal limits.  These findings meet the diagnostic criteria for primary hyperparathyroidism.  Differential diagnoses considered include secondary hyperparathyroidism, tertiary hyperparathyroidism, familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, and malignancy-associated hypercalcemia.  A 24-hour urine calcium excretion test is ordered to further evaluate the hypercalcemia and rule out familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia.  Neck ultrasound is scheduled to localize parathyroid adenoma.  The patient was educated on the diagnosis, treatment options including parathyroidectomy, and potential complications.  The risks and benefits of surgical and non-surgical management were discussed.  Patient will follow up for review of imaging and laboratory results to determine the appropriate course of treatment.  ICD-10 code E21.0, primary hyperparathyroidism, is assigned.  Medical billing codes will be determined based on the finalized treatment plan.