N17.2
BillableAcute kidney failure with medullary necrosis
HCC Category Mapping
V24HCC 135 — Acute Renal Failure
0.452ESRDHCC 135 — Acute Renal Failure
0.000What This Code Means
A sudden loss of kidney function caused by tissue death in the inner part of the kidney (medulla). This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Coding Tips
- •This code indicates a specific type of acute kidney injury with medullary necrosis; ensure clinical documentation supports this specific finding rather than using the unspecified code N17.9
- •Look for associated conditions like sepsis, severe dehydration, or nephrotoxic drug exposure that may have triggered the medullary necrosis
Clinical Significance
Acute kidney failure with medullary necrosis represents severe kidney injury with death of the inner kidney tissue, indicating critical illness with high morbidity and mortality. This condition requires immediate aggressive treatment and has significant impact on healthcare resource utilization.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Acute kidney failure with rapid onset clearly documented
- ✓Evidence of medullary necrosis through imaging or tissue studies
- ✓Laboratory findings demonstrating acute kidney function deterioration
- ✓Identification of underlying causes or precipitating factors
- ✓Treatment plan including dialysis considerations
- ✓Monitoring protocols for kidney function and complications
- ✓Assessment of prognosis and potential for recovery
Commonly Confused Codes
N17.1 — Acute kidney failure with acute cortical necrosis (different anatomical location)N17.9 — Acute kidney failure, unspecified (lacks medullary necrosis specification)N28.0 — Ischemia and infarction of kidney (vascular cause without acute failure)N18.6 — End stage renal disease (chronic condition, not acute with necrosis)
Code Hierarchy
└N17Acute kidney failure└N17.2Acute kidney failure with medullary necrosis
└N17.2Acute kidney failure with medullary necrosis