I70.299

Billable

Other atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities, unspecified extremity

HCC Category Mapping

V24HCC 108 — Vascular Disease

0.297

ESRDHCC 108 — Vascular Disease

0.000

What This Code Means

This code describes a buildup of plaque in the arteries of the arms or legs that is not specified as affecting a particular limb. This condition narrows the blood vessels and can reduce blood flow to the extremities.

Coding Tips

•Use this code only when the documentation does not specify which extremity (right arm, left arm, right leg, or left leg) is affected; if the location is documented, use a more specific code from the I70.2 subcategory
•Verify whether the atherosclerosis involves native arteries (as opposed to grafts) and confirm there are no complications like claudication or gangrene that would require additional codes

Clinical Significance

Atherosclerosis of native arteries without specification of rest pain, ulceration, or gangrene indicates peripheral arterial disease that may present with claudication or be asymptomatic. While less severe than limb-threatening ischemia, this condition requires ongoing monitoring, medical management, and cardiovascular risk factor modification to prevent disease progression. Proper documentation of the specific manifestations helps distinguish this from more severe peripheral arterial disease categories.

Documentation Requirements

✓Clinical diagnosis of peripheral atherosclerosis explicitly documented by the provider
✓Specification of the affected vessel type (native arteries)
✓Laterality clearly documented (unspecified extremity)
✓Description of symptoms (claudication, diminished pulses, skin changes) or notation of asymptomatic disease
✓Vascular assessment findings such as ankle-brachial index, pulse examination, or imaging
✓Current treatment plan including medications, lifestyle modifications, and surveillance schedule

Commonly Confused Codes

I70.3xx (bypass graft series) — Use I70.3xx when atherosclerosis involves a bypass graft rather than native arteries; the graft type must be specified when known I70.211-I70.219 (native arteries with intermittent claudication) — Use intermittent claudication codes when the specific symptom of exertional leg pain relieved by rest is documented I70.221-I70.229 (native arteries with rest pain) — Use rest pain codes when ischemic pain at rest is specifically documented, indicating more severe disease I70.231-I70.25 (native arteries with ulceration) — Use ulceration codes when tissue breakdown is present due to arterial insufficiency I73.9 (Peripheral vascular disease, unspecified) — Avoid this nonspecific code when atherosclerosis of native arteries can be specifically documented I25.10 (Atherosclerotic heart disease) — This code is for coronary atherosclerosis, not peripheral arterial disease; do not confuse cardiac and peripheral vascular codes

Code Hierarchy

└I70Atherosclerosis └I70.2Atherosclerosis of native arteries of the extremities └I70.29Other atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities └I70.299Other atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities, unspecified extremity

└I70.299Other atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities, unspecified extremity