2025 ICD-10-CM code I79
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Diseases of the circulatory system - Diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries IX Feed
Disorders of arteries, arterioles, and capillaries affecting multiple body systems, but classified under other disease categories.
Medical necessity for treatments related to the vascular disorder should be documented in relation to the underlying disease. It should explain how the vascular issue impacts the patient's overall health and how the proposed treatment will address the specific complications arising from the underlying condition.
Diagnosis and management of the underlying condition causing the vascular disorder falls under the responsibility of the relevant specialist for that specific disease.Monitoring and addressing the circulatory complications may involve vascular specialists or other relevant medical professionals.
In simple words: This code indicates a problem with the small blood vessels, typically related to another health issue.The main health issue is coded separately.
This code encompasses disorders affecting arteries, arterioles, and capillaries associated with a primary underlying disease classified elsewhere in the ICD-10-CM. It signifies that the circulatory issue is secondary to another condition and not the principal diagnosis.
Example 1: A patient with diabetes (E11.9) develops peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affecting the lower extremities. The PAD would be coded with I79, indicating it is a complication of the diabetes., A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (M32.9) experiences Raynaud's phenomenon affecting the fingers and toes.The Raynaud's phenomenon would be coded as I79 due to its association with SLE., A patient with rheumatoid arthritis (M06.9) develops vasculitis affecting multiple organs.The vasculitis is coded as I79, highlighting its connection to the underlying rheumatoid arthritis.
Documentation should clearly establish the connection between the vascular disorder and the primary underlying disease. It should include details of the patient's history, physical examination findings, laboratory results, imaging studies, and any other relevant clinical data supporting the diagnosis of both the vascular complication and the underlying condition.
** I79 is not used for conditions originating in the perinatal period, infectious diseases, complications of pregnancy, congenital malformations, endocrine or metabolic diseases, injuries, neoplasms, symptoms/signs, or systemic connective tissue disorders. These conditions have their own specific codes within their respective chapters.If there is no established ICD-10-CM code that links the vascular disorder to the underlying disease, use code I79.8, "Other specified disorders of arteries, arterioles, and capillaries in diseases classified elsewhere."Always prioritize coding the primary underlying disease first, followed by I79 for the associated vascular disorder.