2025 ICD-10-CM code O16.5
Unspecified maternal hypertension complicating the puerperium.
The medical necessity of using O16.5 is based on the presence of hypertension in the puerperium.This condition can have serious consequences for the mother, including stroke, heart failure, and kidney damage. Therefore, it is essential to diagnose and manage postpartum hypertension promptly.
The physician is responsible for diagnosing and managing the patient's hypertension during the postpartum period.This includes monitoring blood pressure, assessing for signs and symptoms of target organ damage, ordering necessary laboratory tests, prescribing antihypertensive medications as needed, educating the patient about lifestyle modifications, and ensuring appropriate follow-up care.
In simple words: This code indicates high blood pressure after childbirth, without specifying the type of high blood pressure.
Unspecified maternal hypertension complicating the puerperium. This code is used to describe a condition in which a patient experiences high blood pressure following childbirth, and the specific type of hypertension is not documented.
Example 1: A 28-year-old woman presents to her postpartum checkup six weeks after delivery. Her blood pressure is elevated at 150/95 mmHg.No other information about the specific type of hypertension is available.The code O16.5 would be used., A 35-year-old woman delivered her baby via cesarean section two days ago. Her blood pressure readings have been consistently high since delivery, averaging 160/100 mmHg.There is no further documentation specifying the type of maternal hypertension.O16.5 is used to code the elevated blood pressure., A 25-year-old woman who is one week postpartum complains of headaches and blurry vision.Her blood pressure is 180/110 mmHg.While these symptoms are concerning for pre-eclampsia, there is no definitive diagnosis, and the specific type of postpartum hypertension isn't documented. The physician uses O16.5 to document the condition.
The physician's documentation should include the elevated blood pressure readings, any signs or symptoms related to the hypertension, and any other relevant clinical findings. Information about the date of delivery is also necessary to confirm that the hypertension is occurring during the puerperium.
** Excludes1: supervision of normal pregnancy (Z34.-)Excludes2: mental and behavioral disorders associated with the puerperium (F53.-)obstetrical tetanus (A34)postpartum necrosis of pituitary gland (E23.0)puerperal osteomalacia (M83.0)
- Specialties:Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Office, Home