E27.3

Billable

Drug-induced adrenocortical insufficiency

HCC Category Mapping

V24HCC 23 — Other Significant Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

0.230

ESRDHCC 23 — Other Significant Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

0.000

RxHCCHCC 43 — Other Significant Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

0.000

What This Code Means

Adrenal gland failure caused by medications, most commonly corticosteroids used to treat other conditions.

Coding Tips

•Always document the specific medication causing the insufficiency and code the drug interaction
•Consider if this is reversible upon medication discontinuation versus permanent damage

Clinical Significance

Drug-induced adrenocortical insufficiency most commonly results from chronic exogenous glucocorticoid therapy that suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, causing adrenal atrophy. Upon abrupt discontinuation or dose reduction, patients lack the ability to mount an appropriate cortisol response to stress, risking adrenal crisis.

Documentation Requirements

✓Document the specific causative medication, duration of use, dose at time of insufficiency onset, cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels, adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test results, tapering plan, and whether the condition is expected to be reversible.

Use Additional Code

code for adverse effect, if applicable, to identify drug (T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5)

Commonly Confused Codes

E27.1 (primary adrenocortical insufficiency from intrinsic adrenal disease), E27.2 (Addisonian crisis if acute decompensation occurs), E24.2 (drug-induced Cushing syndrome, the opposite scenario from steroid excess), E27.40 (unspecified adrenocortical insufficiency).

Code Hierarchy

└E27Other disorders of adrenal gland └E27.3Drug-induced adrenocortical insufficiency

└E27.3Drug-induced adrenocortical insufficiency