401 essential HTN versus 402, 403, 404, 405

[Love Coding!]

Hello,

Can someone clarify this for me? In the ICD-9 book in the Hypertension section it says near the essential HTN codes:

OGCR Section I.C.7.a.1 – Assign hypertension (arterial), (essential), (systemic), (NOS), to category code 401 with appropriate fourth digit to indicate malignant (.0), benign (.1), or unspecified (.9). *Do not use either .0 malignant or .1 benign unless medical record documentation supports such a designation.

My question is does this *rule also apply to the other HTN codes 402, 403, 404, 405?

I will also post this in the E/M section...

Thank you soooo much!

[Love Coding!]

Originally Posted by dscoder74

Hello,

Can someone clarify this for me? In the ICD-9 book in the Hypertension section it says near the essential HTN codes:

OGCR Section I.C.7.a.1 – Assign hypertension (arterial), (essential), (systemic), (NOS), to category code 401 with appropriate fourth digit to indicate malignant (.0), benign (.1), or unspecified (.9). *Do not use either .0 malignant or .1 benign unless medical record documentation supports such a designation.

My question is does this *rule also apply to the other HTN codes 402, 403, 404, 405?

I will also post this in the E/M section...

Thank you soooo much!

Anyone? Please?

[dimmitta]

I would say the rule (do not code as malignant or benign unless documentation specifically states such) would apply to all hypertension codes, not just 401.

[Love Coding!]

Originally Posted by dimmitta

I would say the rule (do not code as malignant or benign unless documentation specifically states such) would apply to all hypertension codes, not just 401.

Thank you so much, I posted this question on another forum and they also see it that way. Have a great evening and responding to my post!