I15.0
BillableRenovascular hypertension
HCC Category Mapping
RxHCCHCC 187 — Hypertension
0.000What This Code Means
High blood pressure caused by narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys, reducing blood flow to kidney tissue.
Coding Tips
- •I15.0 is a secondary hypertension code; document the specific renal artery stenosis or narrowing to support this diagnosis
- •Distinguish from essential hypertension (I10) by confirming the renovascular cause is documented
Clinical Significance
Renovascular hypertension is caused by narrowing of the renal arteries (renal artery stenosis), leading to activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and resulting in secondary hypertension. It is an important treatable cause of hypertension that may be amenable to interventional procedures. Distinguishing secondary from essential hypertension has implications for treatment approach.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Provider documentation explicitly identifying renovascular hypertension or renal artery stenosis as the cause
- ✓Imaging evidence of renal artery stenosis (duplex ultrasound, CTA, MRA, or conventional angiography)
- ✓Blood pressure readings
- ✓Renal function assessment (eGFR, creatinine)
- ✓Current antihypertensive medication regimen
- ✓Any interventional procedures performed or planned (angioplasty, stenting)
- ✓Underlying etiology if known (atherosclerotic vs. fibromuscular dysplasia)
Commonly Confused Codes
I10 — Essential (primary) hypertension (use when no secondary cause is identified)I15.1 — Hypertension secondary to other renal disorders (use for non-vascular renal causes)I15.8 — Other secondary hypertension (use for other identified secondary causes)I70.1 — Atherosclerosis of renal artery (may be coded additionally to identify the underlying vascular disease)I77.1 — Stricture of artery (non-specific; use I15.0 when renal artery stenosis causes hypertension)