Gangrene ICD-10 coding Guide for Medical coders

Jitendra M.Sc CPC

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:

  • 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)

 

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