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I27.20
ICD-10-CM
Moderate Pulmonary Hypertension

Find information on moderate pulmonary hypertension diagnosis, including clinical documentation requirements, ICD-10 codes (I27.20, I27.21, I27.29), medical coding guidelines, and healthcare resources. Learn about pulmonary arterial hypertension PAH, WHO Group 1, and treatment options for moderate PH. Explore accurate medical coding for right heart catheterization RHC, pulmonary function tests PFT, and echocardiography for managing and documenting moderate pulmonary hypertension.

Also known as

Moderate Pulmonary HTN
Moderate PH

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Abnormally high blood pressure in the lung arteries, straining the heart.
  • Clinical Signs : Shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and dizziness or fainting.
  • Common Settings : Diagnosed by cardiologists, pulmonologists, or at specialized PH centers.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC I27.20 Coding
I27.20-I27.29

Pulmonary hypertension

Covers various forms of pulmonary hypertension, including moderate.

I27.0

Primary pulmonary hypertension

Specifies primary pulmonary hypertension, which can be moderate.

I27.81

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease

A specific type of pulmonary hypertension that can present as moderate.

I28.89

Other specified pulmonary heart diseases

May be used for less common types of moderate pulmonary hypertension.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease?

  • Yes

    Code the underlying left heart disease. Do NOT code pulmonary hypertension separately.

  • No

    Is the pulmonary hypertension associated with lung disease or hypoxia?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Moderate Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary Venous Hypertension
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Moderate pulmonary hypertension diagnosis documented
  • Confirm mean pulmonary arterial pressure 35-54 mmHg
  • Document right heart catheterization findings
  • Assess and document World Health Organization functional class
  • Document underlying cause if known eg connective tissue disease

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified etiology

    Coding I27.2 without specifying underlying cause (e.g., I27.0) when known impacts DRG and reimbursement.

  • Group 1 vs. Group other

    Misclassifying PAH group (I27.20 vs. I27.21-I27.29) leads to inaccurate severity reflection and potential audits.

  • Confusing PH with HTN

    Incorrectly coding systemic hypertension (I10) as pulmonary hypertension (I27.2) creates data integrity issues.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document WHO group, mean PA pressure, PVR for accurate ICD-10-CM (I27.2) coding.
  • Ensure RVSP, PAP, PVR details in clinical notes for complete CDI, optimize reimbursement.
  • Follow payer-specific guidelines for PAH medications, diagnostic tests to ensure compliance.
  • Monitor, document response to therapy for accurate risk stratification, optimize care plans.
  • Regularly review, update PAH documentation for accurate severity assessment, avoid audits.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • 1. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure 25-40 mmHg (ICD-10 I27.20)
  • 2. Pulmonary artery wedge pressure <= 15 mmHg documented
  • 3. Assess for underlying causes, document etiology (e.g., WHO Group)
  • 4. RHC report reviewed, cardiac output assessment complete
  • 5. Patient education: disease process, treatment plan documented

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Moderate pulmonary hypertension reimbursement impacts ICD-10-CM I27.2, accurate coding crucial for appropriate reimbursement.
  • Quality metrics: Optimization using accurate I27.2 coding for pulmonary hypertension severity assessment, improving patient outcomes.
  • Coding accuracy affects hospital reporting on PH prevalence, impacting resource allocation and quality improvement initiatives.
  • Appropriate reimbursement and risk adjustment based on accurate I27.2 coding for moderate pulmonary hypertension, impacting hospital finances.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

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

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code I27.20, confirm NYHA class
  • Document RVSP, PVR with cardiac cath
  • R/O other causes of PH
  • Specify group classification (1-5)
  • Check echo report for PAH signs

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with symptoms suggestive of moderate pulmonary hypertension (PH), including dyspnea on exertion, fatigue, and chest pain.  Physical examination reveals elevated jugular venous pressure and a palpable right ventricular heave.  Auscultation identified a loud P2 heart sound and a tricuspid regurgitation murmur.  The patient's medical history includes a prior diagnosis of connective tissue disease.  Echocardiography demonstrates right ventricular hypertrophy and estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) between 40 and 55 mmHg, consistent with moderate PH (World Health Organization Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension, WHO Group 1 PAH).  Cardiac catheterization is planned for definitive hemodynamic assessment and to confirm the diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension and exclude other causes of pulmonary hypertension such as WHO Group 2 PH due to left heart disease, WHO Group 3 PH due to lung diseases andor hypoxia, WHO Group 4 PH due to chronic thromboembolic disease, and WHO Group 5 PH with unclear or multifactorial mechanisms.  Differential diagnosis includes other causes of dyspnea and right heart failure.  Initial treatment plan includes diuretic therapy for symptom management and initiation of pulmonary arterial hypertension-specific therapy pending confirmation of diagnosis via right heart catheterization. Patient education provided regarding the disease process, medication management, lifestyle modifications including exercise limitations, and the importance of follow-up care.  Referral to a pulmonary hypertension specialist has been made.  ICD-10 code I27.21, Pulmonary hypertension, unspecified, is provisionally assigned, pending confirmatory testing.  CPT codes for evaluation and management, echocardiography, and upcoming right heart catheterization will be documented upon completion of those services. This documentation reflects current clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pulmonary hypertension.
Moderate Pulmonary Hypertension - AI-Powered ICD-10 Documentation