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I70.209
ICD-10-CM
Peripheral Arterial Disease

Find comprehensive information on Peripheral Arterial Disease PAD diagnosis including clinical documentation requirements ICD 10 codes for PAD claudication and atherosclerosis treatment and management guidelines. Learn about peripheral artery disease symptoms risk factors and diagnostic testing like ankle brachial index ABI . Explore resources for healthcare professionals focused on accurate medical coding for PAD and best practices in vascular disease management.

Also known as

PAD
Peripheral Vascular Disease
PVD

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to limbs, usually legs.
  • Clinical Signs : Leg pain (especially when walking), numbness, coldness, sores that heal slowly.
  • Common Settings : Outpatient vascular clinic, primary care, cardiology.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC I70.209 Coding
I70-I79

Diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries

Covers peripheral arterial disease and related circulatory issues.

I73

Peripheral arterial disease

Specifically designates peripheral arterial disease diagnoses.

E08-E13

Diabetes mellitus

Includes diabetic angiopathies which can cause peripheral arterial disease.

I25

Chronic ischemic heart disease

Often coexists with PAD due to shared risk factors like atherosclerosis.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is PAD due to atherosclerosis?

  • Yes

    Site specified?

  • No

    Due to embolism or thrombosis?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Acute Limb Ischemia
Critical Limb Ischemia

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • PAD diagnosis: Location, severity, laterality documented
  • Symptom details: Claudication, rest pain, ischemic ulcers
  • ABI or other objective findings recorded
  • Risk factors: Smoking, diabetes, HTN documented
  • Treatment plan: Medications, interventions specified

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified PAD Location

    Coding PAD without laterality or specific vessel location leads to rejected claims and inaccurate data. Use ICD-10 codes like I70.2 for atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities with appropriate 7th character.

  • Atherosclerosis vs. PAD

    Miscoding atherosclerosis (I70) as PAD (I73.9) without confirming symptomatic limb ischemia impacts severity reporting and reimbursement. CDI queries clarify clinical documentation.

  • Acute vs. Chronic PAD

    Distinguishing acute limb ischemia (I74) from chronic PAD (I70, I73.9) is crucial for accurate quality reporting and risk adjustment. CDI specialists should query the physician for acuity clarification.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document symptom location, duration, and severity for accurate ICD-10 coding (e.g., I70.2).
  • Capture ABI and duplex ultrasound findings for PAD diagnosis confirmation and HCC coding.
  • Ensure complete medication reconciliation, including antiplatelets, for improved CDI and risk adjustment.
  • Regularly assess and document risk factors (smoking, diabetes) for accurate RAF scores and HCCs.
  • Educate patients on lifestyle modifications (exercise, diet) and document for improved outcomes and compliance.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • 1. Palpate lower extremity pulses (ICD-10 I70.x)
  • 2. Assess ankle-brachial index (ABI) (SNOMED CT 427993005)
  • 3. Evaluate for claudication symptoms (CPT 93922)
  • 4. Review prior vascular studies (RxNorm 1104133)

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Reimbursement: Coding accuracy impacts payer contract negotiations, influencing case mix index and hospital revenue.
  • PAD Coding and Quality Metrics: Accurate ICD-10 and CPT coding affects quality reporting, impacting public rankings and value-based purchasing.
  • PAD Reimbursement Challenges: Denials due to unspecified PAD codes reduce revenue. Specificity in documentation supports appropriate reimbursement levels.
  • PAD Quality Improvement: Accurate PAD coding drives identification of at-risk patients for targeted interventions, improving outcomes and HEDIS measures.

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 PAD severity (e.g., I70.268)
  • Document claudication symptoms
  • Specify affected limb (e.g., lower extremity)
  • Include ABI scores if available
  • Query physician for PAD clarification

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints consistent with peripheral artery disease (PAD).  Symptoms include intermittent claudication characterized by cramping, aching, or fatigue in the lower extremities, specifically the calf muscles,  during exercise and relieved by rest.  Onset of pain is reproducible with ambulation at a consistent distance.  Patient reports a Rutherford category (grade) [Insert Rutherford category 1-6] level of PAD.  Associated symptoms may include numbness, tingling, or coldness in the legs or feet.  Resting pain is [present/absent].  Physical examination reveals diminished or absent pedal pulses, decreased capillary refill time in the toes, and possible skin changes such as pallor, coolness, or hair loss in the affected limb.  Ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement was recorded as [insert ABI value].  Differential diagnosis includes spinal stenosis, venous insufficiency, and neuropathy.  Diagnosis of peripheral artery disease is supported by clinical presentation, ABI measurement, and patient history.  Treatment plan includes lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation, supervised exercise therapy, and dietary changes to manage risk factors like hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes.  Pharmacological interventions may include antiplatelet therapy (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel) and medications to address hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes.  Referral to vascular specialist is considered for further evaluation and potential interventions such as angioplasty, stenting, or bypass surgery if indicated. Patient education provided on disease management, foot care, and importance of medication adherence.  Follow-up appointment scheduled in [ timeframe] to monitor symptoms, ABI, and treatment efficacy.