I77.819
BillableAortic ectasia, unspecified site
HCC Category Mapping
V24HCC 108 — Vascular Disease
0.297ESRDHCC 108 — Vascular Disease
0.000What This Code Means
An abnormal widening of the aorta at an unspecified location along its length.
Coding Tips
- •Use this code only when the specific location of aortic ectasia is not documented
- •Query the provider for more specific anatomical location to assign the appropriate code
Clinical Significance
Aortic ectasia, unspecified site, captures sub-aneurysmal aortic dilation when the specific segment (thoracic, abdominal, or thoracoabdominal) is not documented. While this code still contributes to vascular disease risk adjustment, the unspecified nature may trigger audit scrutiny. Providers should be queried for the specific location to enable more precise coding.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Imaging confirmation of aortic dilation with measurements
- ✓Documentation that dilation is sub-aneurysmal (ectasia rather than aneurysm)
- ✓Attempt to determine the specific segment involved (thoracic, abdominal, or thoracoabdominal)
- ✓Monitoring plan for surveillance imaging
- ✓Cardiovascular risk factor assessment and management plan
Commonly Confused Codes
I77.810 — Thoracic aortic ectasia: use when thoracic location is documentedI77.811 — Abdominal aortic ectasia: use when abdominal location is documentedI77.812 — Thoracoabdominal aortic ectasia: use when both segments are documentedI71.9 — Aortic aneurysm of unspecified site: use when dilation meets aneurysm threshold