Basics of Gangrene ICD-10 coding

Gangrene is death of body tissue due to a lack of blood flow or a serious bacterial infection. Gangrene commonly affects the arms and legs, including the toes and fingers.

I96 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

Type 1 Excludes

gangrene in atherosclerosis of native arteries of the extremities (I70.26)
gangrene in hernia (K40.1, K40.4, K41.1, K41.4, K42.1, K43.1-, K44.1, K45.1, K46.1)
gangrene in other peripheral vascular diseases (I73.-)
gangrene of certain specified sites – see Alphabetical Index
gas gangrene (A48.0)
pyoderma gangrenosum (L88)

Type 2 Excludes

gangrene in diabetes mellitus (E08-E13 with .52)

Signs and symptoms | Gangrene ICD-10 coding

When gangrene affects the skin, signs and symptoms may include:

Skin discoloration — ranging from pale to blue, purple, black, bronze or red, depending on the type of gangrene
A clear line between healthy and damaged skin
Severe pain followed by a feeling of numbness
A foul-smelling discharge leaking from a sore

If the gangrene affects tissues beneath the surface of the skin, such as gas gangrene or internal gangrene, symptoms include:

Swollen and very painful tissue
Fever

Septic shock can occur if a bacterial infection that originated in the gangrenous tissue spreads throughout the body. Signs and symptoms of septic shock include:

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Low blood pressure
Fever, possibly, though temperature may also run lower than the normal 96.8 F (36 C)
Rapid heart rate
Lightheadedness
Shortness of breath
Confusion

Related Synonyms of Gangrene ICD-10 code

Gangrene
Gangrene due to peripheral vascular disease
Gangrene of bilateral feet
Gangrene of both feet
Gangrene of both fingers
Gangrene of both toes
Gangrene of finger of bilateral hands
Gangrene of finger of left hand
Gangrene of finger of right hand
Gangrene of left finger
Gangrene of left foot
Gangrene of left toe
Gangrene of right finger
Gangrene of right foot
Gangrene of right toe
Gangrene of toe of bilateral feet
Gangrene of toe of left foot
Gangrene of toe of right foot
Gangrenous disorder
Necrotizing fasciitis caused by microorganism
Necrotizing fasciitis due to infectious organism with gangrene
Necrotizing fasciitis with gangrene
Skin necrosis
Skin tissue necrosis
Tissue necrosis in peripheral vascular disease

Gangrene ICD-10 coding tips for coders

Report code I96 – Gangrene, gangrenous (connective tissue) (dropsical) (dry) (moist) (skin) (ulcer)
Includes: Gangrene not elsewhere classified (NEC) and Gangrenous cellulitis
Excludes1: gangrene in atherosclerosis of native arteries of the extremities (I70.26)

gangrene in diabetes mellitus (E08-E13)
gangrene in hernia (K40.1, K40.4, K41.1, K41.4, K42.1, K43.1-, K44.1, K45.1, K46.1)
gangrene in other peripheral vascular diseases (I73.-)
gangrene of certain specified sites – see Alphabetical Index
gas gangrene (A48.0)
pyoderma gangrenosum (L88)