Radiology Coding Alert

Aortic anatomy lesson helps keep your coding on the straight and narrow. An important element of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) coding is knowing whether the aneurysm has ruptured. Here’s a quick look at diagnosis coding for unruptured AAA, which is a ballooning of the portion of the aorta located in the abdomen. ICD-9-CM Code 441.4, Abdominal aneurysm without rupture ICD-10-CM Code I71.4, Abdominal aortic aneurysm, without rupture ICD-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 (such as I71.2, Thoracic [...]