2025 ICD-10-CM code I70
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Circulatory System Diseases - Diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99) Feed
Atherosclerosis, a condition where arteries thicken and stiffen due to plaque buildup, restricting blood flow.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances of the encounter and the services provided.Refer to current CPT and HCPCS modifier guidelines for details.
Medical necessity for diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis is established by the presence of symptoms or findings suggestive of significant arterial disease, such as intermittent claudication, rest pain, tissue ulceration, or critical limb ischemia. Diagnostic testing is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of the disease, guiding appropriate treatment strategies.Treatment interventions, including medications, procedures, and lifestyle modifications, should be medically necessary and appropriately documented.
Diagnosis and management of atherosclerosis often involve a multidisciplinary approach including evaluation by cardiologists, vascular surgeons, and other specialists.The clinical responsibility may include physical examination, diagnostic testing (e.g., ultrasound, angiography), and treatment planning (e.g., lifestyle modifications, medication, surgical intervention).
- Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99)
- I70-I79 (Diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries)
In simple words: Atherosclerosis is a disease where fatty substances build up inside your arteries, making them hard and narrow. This makes it harder for blood to flow to your organs and can lead to serious problems like heart attacks or strokes if not treated.It usually develops slowly and may not have symptoms at first.
Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease characterized by the buildup of fatty substances (plaque or atheroma) within the arterial walls. This plaque buildup leads to thickening and stiffening of the arteries, narrowing the lumen and reducing blood flow to vital organs and tissues.Atherosclerosis can affect various arteries throughout the body, including the aorta, renal arteries, arteries in the extremities, and coronary arteries.The condition often develops gradually and may not present with noticeable symptoms in its early stages.However, if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease, and renal failure.Further specification of the affected artery (e.g., I70.0 for the aorta, I70.1 for the renal artery, I70.2 for arteries of the extremities) is crucial for accurate coding.
Example 1: A 65-year-old male presents with intermittent claudication (pain in the legs during exertion) and is diagnosed with atherosclerosis of the femoral arteries (I70.21). The physician orders a Doppler ultrasound, prescribes medications to manage cholesterol and blood pressure, and recommends lifestyle changes., A 72-year-old female with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia is found to have significant atherosclerosis of the aorta (I70.0) during a routine physical examination.A CT angiogram is performed, and she is started on statin therapy and referred to a cardiologist., A 50-year-old male with renal artery stenosis secondary to atherosclerosis (I70.1) presents with uncontrolled hypertension.Renal artery angiography is performed, revealing significant stenosis.The patient undergoes renal artery angioplasty and stenting.
Complete medical history, including family history of cardiovascular disease, risk factors (e.g., hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, diabetes), and presenting symptoms.Results of relevant diagnostic tests, such as lipid panels, blood pressure measurements, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and vascular imaging studies (e.g., ultrasound, CT angiography, MRI angiography).Details of treatment plan, including medication prescribed and any surgical procedures performed.Documentation should support the medical necessity of the procedures or services provided.
** The I70 code family requires careful consideration of the specific artery affected and the severity of the disease to ensure accurate coding.Always refer to the latest official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines and payer-specific instructions for proper billing practices.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to this code.
- Specialties:Cardiology, Vascular Surgery, Nephrology
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient and Outpatient), Ambulatory Surgical Center