I77.6
BillableArteritis, unspecified
HCC Category Mapping
V24HCC 108 — Vascular Disease
0.297ESRDHCC 108 — Vascular Disease
0.000What This Code Means
Inflammation of an artery when the specific type or location is not specified or documented.
Coding Tips
- •Use this code only when the type of arteritis cannot be determined or is not specified
- •Consider if more specific arteritis codes apply (e.g., temporal arteritis, Takayasu arteritis)
Clinical Significance
Arteritis, unspecified, represents inflammation of arterial walls that can lead to stenosis, occlusion, or aneurysm formation. While this is an unspecified code, it still captures significant vascular disease that increases patient complexity and resource needs. Providers should be queried for more specific diagnoses such as giant cell arteritis or Takayasu arteritis when possible.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Clinical documentation of arterial inflammation with supporting evidence
- ✓Diagnostic workup results including inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein)
- ✓Specification of affected arteries when known
- ✓Exclusion of more specific arteritis diagnoses (giant cell, Takayasu, antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody-associated)
- ✓Current treatment plan and monitoring schedule
Excludes 1 — Do NOT code together
Commonly Confused Codes
M31.6 — Other giant cell arteritis: use when temporal or cranial arteritis is documentedM31.4 — Aortic arch syndrome (Takayasu): use for Takayasu arteritis specificallyI77.82 — Antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody vasculitis: use when antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis is documentedI77.5 — Necrosis of artery: use when there is tissue death of the arterial wall
Code Hierarchy
└I77Other disorders of arteries and arterioles└I77.6Arteritis, unspecified
└I77.6Arteritis, unspecified