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I87.2
ICD-10-CM
Venous Reflux

Find information on venous reflux diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare resources. Learn about venous insufficiency, chronic venous disease, reflux testing, Doppler ultrasound, and treatment options. Explore ICD-10 codes for venous reflux, varicose veins, and spider veins. This resource provides essential information for healthcare professionals, coders, and patients seeking to understand venous reflux disease.

Also known as

Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Venous Hypertension

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Backward blood flow in leg veins, often causing varicose veins.
  • Clinical Signs : Swollen, achy legs, varicose veins, skin changes, leg ulcers.
  • Common Settings : Vascular clinics, vein centers, dermatology offices.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC I87.2 Coding
I87.0-I87.9

Varicose veins of lower extremities

Venous reflux often leads to varicose veins in the legs.

I83.0-I83.9

Varicose veins of other sites

Venous reflux can cause varicose veins in locations besides the legs.

I84.0-I84.9

Hemorrhoids

Venous reflux can contribute to hemorrhoid development.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the venous reflux primary (not due to another condition)?

  • Yes

    Which extremity?

  • No

    Is reflux due to postthrombotic syndrome?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Venous reflux
Chronic venous insufficiency
Superficial thrombophlebitis

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Venous reflux diagnosis: documented duplex ultrasound findings
  • Clinical symptoms: leg swelling, pain, varicose veins, skin changes
  • Location and extent of reflux: e.g., great saphenous vein, perforator veins
  • Severity of reflux: duration (seconds) documented in ultrasound report
  • CEAP classification documented to specify clinical severity

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Laterality

    Coding venous reflux without specifying affected limb (right, left, bilateral) leads to claim denials and inaccurate data.

  • Clinical Validation Gap

    Lack of clear documentation linking reflux to symptoms hinders accurate severity coding and medical necessity reviews.

  • Unbundling Procedures

    Incorrectly coding diagnostic and therapeutic procedures related to venous reflux separately can trigger audits for overbilling.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Thorough clinical exam, document refluxing vein location, duration using ICD-10-CM I87 codes.
  • Duplex ultrasound is crucial. Document findings, measurements for accurate I83 coding, CDI review.
  • Assess, document CEAP classification (C0s-C6s) for severity staging, impacts I83 coding, compliance.
  • Venous reflux diagnosis must link symptoms to reflux. Document symptom duration, severity for I87.
  • Validate medical necessity for interventions using clinical findings, ultrasound results, improve CDI.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • 1. Verify symptoms: leg swelling, pain, varicose veins (ICD-10 I87.2)
  • 2. Assess venous insufficiency via duplex ultrasound (CPT 93971)
  • 3. Document reflux duration and location for accurate coding
  • 4. Evaluate DVT risk factors: age, immobility, prior DVT (ICD-10 I82.40)

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Venous Reflux Reimbursement: Coding accuracy impacts payer contracts and medical billing revenue cycle.
  • Venous Reflux Quality Metrics: Accurate ICD-10 and CPT coding affects hospital quality reporting and value-based care.
  • Impact: Denied claims reduce revenue, accurate coding maximizes reimbursement.
  • Impact: Correct reporting improves patient outcomes tracking and physician performance evaluation.

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 primary reflux location
  • Document reflux duration
  • Specify superficial/deep veins
  • Use duplex ultrasound findings
  • Include clinical severity

Documentation Templates

Venous reflux, also known as venous insufficiency, was diagnosed in this patient presenting with symptoms consistent with impaired venous return.  The patient reports leg pain, aching, heaviness, swelling (edema), and fatigue, particularly in the lower extremities, worsening with prolonged standing or sitting.  Physical examination reveals visible varicose veins, telangiectasias (spider veins), and edema.  Skin changes such as hyperpigmentation, lipodermatosclerosis, and venous ulcers may be present, indicating chronic venous insufficiency.  Duplex ultrasound, the gold standard for venous reflux diagnosis, confirmed retrograde flow in the superficial venous system, specifically the great saphenous vein or small saphenous vein.  The Clinical Etiology, Anatomy, Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification was used to assess the severity of venous disease.  Conservative management options, including compression therapy with graduated compression stockings, leg elevation, and regular exercise, were discussed.  Further treatment options, such as endovenous ablation (radiofrequency ablation, laser ablation), sclerotherapy, or phlebectomy, may be considered based on the severity of symptoms and disease progression.  Patient education regarding venous health, risk factor modification, and compliance with compression therapy was provided.  Follow-up appointments were scheduled to monitor treatment efficacy and assess for potential complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or superficial thrombophlebitis.
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