I70.713

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

Plaque buildup in non-synthetic bypass grafts affecting both legs, causing pain or cramping during walking in both legs.

Coding Tips

• •Bilateral claudication must be documented in the medical record for both legs
• •This is a higher specificity code that captures both the graft location and the functional symptom

Clinical Significance

This code captures atherosclerosis affecting other type bypass graft(s) of the extremities with intermittent claudication in the bilateral lower extremities, representing Fontaine Stage II peripheral arterial disease. Claudication in the context of bypass graft atherosclerosis indicates graft stenosis or progressive native vessel disease causing reproducible exercise-induced muscle pain. While less immediately threatening than rest pain or gangrene, this signals graft compromise requiring surveillance duplex imaging and potential intervention.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Confirmed diagnosis of atherosclerosis affecting other type bypass graft(s)
• ✓Type of bypass graft material documented (synthetic/nonbiological vs. other type such as composite or mixed-material graft)
• ✓Laterality clearly documented (bilateral lower extremities)
• ✓History of bypass graft surgery with approximate date or timeframe
• ✓Current status and monitoring plan for the bypass graft
• ✓Documentation of exercise-induced muscle pain with specific walking distance or duration before onset
• ✓Relief of symptoms with rest and reproduction with activity
• ✓Vascular studies (ankle-brachial index at rest and post-exercise) confirming arterial etiology
• ✓Differentiation from spinal stenosis (neurogenic claudication) and other causes of leg pain with activity

Commonly Confused Codes