Cardiology Coding Alert

These documentation tips apply to both ICD-9 and ICD-10.Smoking, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and even trauma can put a patient at risk for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Here's a quick look at diagnosis coding for these patients now and in the future. The focus is on unruptured AAA, which is a ballooning of the portion of the aorta located in the abdomen.ICD-9-CM Code441.4, Abdominal aneurysm without ruptureICD-10-CM CodeI71.4, Abdominal aortic aneurysm, without ruptureICD-9 coding rules: Code 441.4 is appropriate for an unruptured aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. ICD-9 provides separate codes for a ruptured aneurysm (441.3) and for aortic aneurysms in other locations (such as 441.2, Thoracic aneurysm without rupture).ICD-10 changes: Your ICD-10 options are almost identical to your ICD-9 options. Code I71.4 is appropriate for an unruptured aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. ICD-10 also provides separate codes for a ruptured aneurysm (I71.3) and for aortic aneurysms in other locations [...]