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N20.0
ICD-10-CM
Renal Stone

Find comprehensive information on Renal Stone diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding (ICD-10 N20.0, N20.1, N20.8, N20.9), nephrolithiasis treatment, kidney stone symptoms, and prevention. Learn about ureteral stones, calcium stones, struvite stones, uric acid stones, and cystine stones. Explore diagnostic tests like CT scans, ultrasounds, and urinalysis for accurate Renal Stone identification. This resource provides valuable insights for healthcare professionals, medical coders, and patients seeking information about Renal Stone disease management.

Also known as

Kidney Stone
Nephrolithiasis
Urolithiasis

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Hard deposits forming in the kidneys, often composed of calcium or uric acid.
  • Clinical Signs : Severe flank pain, radiating to groin; nausea, vomiting; blood in urine; frequent urination.
  • Common Settings : Emergency room, urology clinic, lithotripsy center, primary care office.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC N20.0 Coding
N20-N23

Calculus of kidney and ureter

Covers kidney and ureter stones and related conditions.

N17-N19

Acute and chronic kidney disease

Includes kidney failure and other complications possibly linked to stones.

R33

Retention of urine

Describes urinary retention that can be caused by a stone.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Calculus of kidney or ureter?

  • Yes

    Obstruction of urinary tract?

  • No

    Calculus of bladder?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Renal Stone
Renal Colic
Hydronephrosis

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Renal stone diagnosis documentation: ICD-10, CPT
  • Document stone location (kidney, ureter, bladder)
  • Stone size (mm) required for coding, lithotripsy
  • Pain severity, characteristics, and location details
  • Hydronephrosis present? Document degree if yes

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Location

    Coding renal stone without specifying laterality (right, left, bilateral) or location (ureter, kidney) leads to inaccurate coding and claims.

  • Stone Type Missing

    Failing to document the type of renal stone (calcium, struvite, uric acid) impacts coding specificity for accurate reimbursement and quality reporting.

  • Hydronephrosis Undercoding

    Associated hydronephrosis due to obstruction may be overlooked, leading to undercoding severity and missing CC/MCC capture.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Accurate ICD-10 coding (N20.0-N20.9) for renal stone diagnosis.
  • Detailed documentation of stone size, location for CDI, compliance.
  • Review UA, imaging reports for precise stone composition documentation.
  • Query physician for clarity if documentation lacks specificity for coding.
  • Ensure proper CPT coding for procedures related to renal stone diagnosis.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify sudden severe flank pain radiating to groin (ICD-10 N20.0)
  • Confirm hematuria on urinalysis (SNOMED CT 298130009)
  • Check imaging (CT KUB) for stone visualization (CPT 74176)
  • Assess hydronephrosis level for obstruction (SNOMED CT 426946007)

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Renal Stone Reimbursement: Coding accuracy impacts payer contracts, influencing denials and revenue cycle management. Correct ICD-10 (N20.0-N23) and CPT (52310-52353) coding is crucial for maximizing reimbursement.
  • Quality Metrics Impact: Renal stone treatment outcomes affect hospital value-based purchasing programs and public reporting. Accurate documentation of pain management, complication rates, and readmissions is essential.
  • Coding Accuracy for Renal Stone: Proper coding of lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, and other procedures ensures accurate DRG assignment and hospital reimbursement. Physician documentation must support medical necessity.
  • Hospital Reporting and Renal Stone: Timely and accurate coding of renal stone diagnosis and procedures impacts hospital quality reporting, affecting public image and potential penalties for poor performance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions and Answers

Q: What are the most effective evidence-based strategies for managing acute renal colic pain in the emergency department setting, considering patient comorbidities and potential drug interactions?

A: Managing acute renal colic pain effectively requires a multimodal approach tailored to the individual patient. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ketorolac are often first-line for pain relief due to their combined analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, clinicians must carefully assess for contraindications such as peptic ulcer disease, bleeding disorders, or renal impairment. For patients with these comorbidities, opioids like morphine or hydromorphone can be considered, but with careful monitoring for respiratory depression and other adverse effects. Additionally, intravenous fluids can help with dehydration and promote stone passage. Explore how integrating point-of-care ultrasound can expedite diagnosis and guide management decisions in the emergency department. Consider implementing standardized pain assessment tools and protocols to ensure consistent and effective pain control. Learn more about risk stratification for potential complications and determining the need for urology consultation.

Q: How can I differentiate between renal colic caused by a ureteral stone and other acute abdominal pain conditions mimicking renal colic, such as appendicitis or diverticulitis, using clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and imaging studies?

A: Differentiating renal colic from other acute abdominal pathologies requires careful consideration of the clinical picture, laboratory findings, and imaging results. While renal colic typically presents with flank pain radiating to the groin, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and hematuria, other conditions like appendicitis and diverticulitis can mimic these symptoms. Laboratory tests such as urinalysis can reveal hematuria suggestive of renal colic, but are not always definitive. Imaging plays a crucial role in accurate diagnosis. Non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) of the abdomen and pelvis is the gold standard for visualizing ureteral stones and ruling out other causes of abdominal pain. Ultrasound can also be helpful, particularly in pregnant patients or those with contraindications to CT. Consider implementing a diagnostic algorithm that incorporates patient history, physical exam findings, and targeted imaging to ensure accurate and timely diagnosis. Explore how point-of-care ultrasound can be utilized as an initial triage tool to differentiate between renal colic and other acute abdominal conditions.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code confirmed stone type
  • Document stone size/location
  • Laterality: specify left/right
  • Check for obstruction codes
  • N200 for calculus of kidney

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with acute onset of severe flank pain, radiating to the groin, consistent with renal colic.  Symptoms include hematuria, nausea, vomiting, and urinary urgency.  Differential diagnosis includes nephrolithiasis, ureterolithiasis, pyelonephritis, urinary tract infection, and appendicitis.  Physical examination reveals costovertebral angle tenderness.  Patient reports a history of kidney stones.  Urinalysis demonstrates microscopic hematuria and crystalluria.  Renal ultrasound confirms the presence of a renal calculus measuring [size] mm located in the [location, e.g., right kidney, left renal pelvis].  Diagnosis of renal stone confirmed.  Pain management initiated with [medication, e.g., intravenous ketorolac].  Patient advised on increased fluid intake.  Treatment plan includes [conservative management vs. surgical intervention, e.g., observation, medical expulsive therapy, lithotripsy, ureteroscopy].  Follow-up scheduled to monitor stone passage and renal function.  ICD-10 code N20.0 assigned.  Medical necessity for imaging and treatment documented.