N10-N16
Medium Complexity

Renal tubulo-interstitial diseases

Primary Specialty: Nephrology
Last Updated: 2025-09-10

ICD-10 Codes (43)

42 billable
0 category headers
N11
Billable
Chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis
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N11.0
Billable
Nonobstructive reflux-associated chronic pyelonephritis
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N11.1
Billable
Chronic obstructive pyelonephritis
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N11.8
Billable
Other chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis
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N11.9
Billable
Chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis, unspecified
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N12
Billable
Tubulo-interstitial nephritis, not specified as acute or chronic
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N13
Obstructive and reflux uropathy
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N13.0
Billable
Hydronephrosis with ureteropelvic junction obstruction
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N13.1
Billable
Hydronephrosis with ureteral stricture, not elsewhere classified
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N13.2
Billable
Hydronephrosis with renal and ureteral calculous obstruction
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N13.3
Billable
Other and unspecified hydronephrosis
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N13.30
Billable
Unspecified hydronephrosis
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N13.39
Billable
Other hydronephrosis
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N13.4
Billable
Hydroureter
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N13.5
Billable
Crossing vessel and stricture of ureter without hydronephrosis
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N13.6
Billable
Pyonephrosis
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N13.7
Billable
Vesicoureteral-reflux
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N13.70
Billable
Vesicoureteral-reflux, unspecified
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N13.71
Billable
Vesicoureteral-reflux without reflux nephropathy
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N13.72
Billable
Vesicoureteral-reflux with reflux nephropathy without hydroureter
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N13.721
Billable
Vesicoureteral-reflux with reflux nephropathy without hydroureter, unilateral
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N13.722
Billable
Vesicoureteral-reflux with reflux nephropathy without hydroureter, bilateral
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N13.729
Billable
Vesicoureteral-reflux with reflux nephropathy without hydroureter, unspecified
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N13.73
Billable
Vesicoureteral-reflux with reflux nephropathy with hydroureter
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N13.731
Billable
Vesicoureteral-reflux with reflux nephropathy with hydroureter, unilateral
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N13.732
Billable
Vesicoureteral-reflux with reflux nephropathy with hydroureter, bilateral
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N13.739
Billable
Vesicoureteral-reflux with reflux nephropathy with hydroureter, unspecified
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N13.8
Billable
Other obstructive and reflux uropathy
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N13.9
Billable
Obstructive and reflux uropathy, unspecified
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N14
Billable
Drug- and heavy-metal-induced tubulo-interstitial and tubular conditions
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N14.0
Billable
Analgesic nephropathy
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N14.1
Billable
Nephropathy induced by other drugs, medicaments and biological substances
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N14.11
Billable
Contrast-induced nephropathy
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N14.19
Billable
Nephropathy induced by other drugs, medicaments and biological substances
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N14.2
Billable
Nephropathy induced by unspecified drug, medicament or biological substance
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N14.3
Billable
Nephropathy induced by heavy metals
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N14.4
Billable
Toxic nephropathy, not elsewhere classified
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N15
Billable
Other renal tubulo-interstitial diseases
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N15.0
Billable
Balkan nephropathy
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N15.1
Billable
Renal and perinephric abscess
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N15.8
Billable
Other specified renal tubulo-interstitial diseases
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N15.9
Billable
Renal tubulo-interstitial disease, unspecified
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N16
Billable
Renal tubulo-interstitial disorders in diseases classified elsewhere
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Updates & Changes

FY 2026 Updates

Current Year

New Codes (2)

N18.30
Chronic kidney disease, stage 3a (GFR 45-59)
N18.31
Chronic kidney disease, stage 3b (GFR 30-44)

Revised Codes (1)

N18.6
End stage renal disease - updated to align with KDIGO guidelines

Deleted Codes(1)

N18.3
Chronic kidney disease, stage 3 (moderate) - replaced by more specific 3a/3b staging

Historical Changes

  • •FY 2025: Routine maintenance updates with minor terminology clarifications
  • •FY 2024: Enhanced specificity requirements for certain code ranges
  • •FY 2023: Updated documentation guidelines for improved clarity

Upcoming Changes

  • •Proposed updates pending review by Coordination and Maintenance Committee
  • •Under consideration: Enhanced digital health integration codes

Implementation Guidance

  • •Review all FY 2026 updates for N10-N16 codes before implementation
  • •Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
  • •Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
  • +3 more guidance items...

Range Overview

high priority

The ICD-10 code range N10-N16 pertains to renal tubulo-interstitial diseases. These codes are used to classify kidney diseases that affect the renal tubules and interstitial tissue, which includes conditions such as acute tubulo-interstitial nephritis, chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis, and renal sclerosis. The codes in this range are essential for accurate medical documentation and billing, and they provide a standardized language for clinicians, researchers, and health insurance companies.

Key Usage Points:

  • •Always code to the highest level of specificity.
  • •Use additional codes to identify any associated conditions or complications.
  • •Codes in this range can be used in any healthcare setting.
  • •Chronic conditions require documentation of the patient's long-term care.
  • •Acute conditions require documentation of the patient's immediate care.

Coding Guidelines

When to Use:

  • ✓When a patient is diagnosed with a renal tubulo-interstitial disease.
  • ✓When a patient has a history of renal tubulo-interstitial disease.
  • ✓When a patient is receiving treatment for a renal tubulo-interstitial disease.
  • ✓When a patient's renal tubulo-interstitial disease affects their medical treatment.
  • ✓When a patient's renal tubulo-interstitial disease is a factor in their hospital admission.

When NOT to Use:

  • ✗When a patient has a renal disease that is not tubulo-interstitial.
  • ✗When a patient has a history of renal disease, but it is not currently active.
  • ✗When a patient's renal disease is not a factor in their medical treatment.
  • ✗When a patient's renal disease does not affect their hospital admission.
  • ✗When a patient's renal disease is not documented in their medical record.

Code Exclusions

Always verify exclusions with the patient's medical record and the official ICD-10 guidelines.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation for codes in the N10-N16 range should include the diagnosis, any associated conditions or complications, and the patient's treatment plan. The documentation should be clear, concise, and based on the patient's medical record.

Clinical Information:

  • •Diagnosis of a renal tubulo-interstitial disease.
  • •Any associated conditions or complications.
  • •Patient's treatment plan.
  • •Patient's response to treatment.
  • •Patient's prognosis.

Supporting Evidence:

  • •Laboratory test results.
  • •Imaging studies.
  • •Pathology reports.
  • •Clinical notes.
Good Documentation Example:

Patient diagnosed with chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis. Patient has a history of recurrent urinary tract infections. Patient is receiving antibiotic therapy.

Poor Documentation Example:

Patient has kidney disease.

Common Documentation Errors:

  • âš Not coding to the highest level of specificity.
  • âš Not documenting associated conditions or complications.
  • âš Not documenting the patient's treatment plan.
  • âš Not documenting the patient's response to treatment.

Range Statistics

7
Total Codes
42
Billable
Complexity:
Medium
Primary Use:Clinical Documentation
Chapter:14

Coding Complexity

Medium
Complexity Rating

Coding for renal tubulo-interstitial diseases is moderately complex due to the need to understand the anatomy and physiology of the kidney, differentiate between acute and chronic conditions, identify associated conditions or complications, code to the highest level of specificity, and keep up-to-date with changes to the ICD-10 guidelines.

Key Factors:
  • â–¸Understanding the anatomy and physiology of the kidney.
  • â–¸Differentiating between acute and chronic conditions.
  • â–¸Identifying associated conditions or complications.
  • â–¸Coding to the highest level of specificity.
  • â–¸Keeping up-to-date with changes to the ICD-10 guidelines.

Specialty Focus

Codes in the N10-N16 range are primarily used by nephrologists, but they can also be used by internists, hospitalists, and other clinicians who treat patients with renal diseases.

Primary Specialties:
Nephrology
70%
Internal Medicine
20%
Hospital Medicine
10%
Clinical Scenarios:
  • • A patient with acute tubulo-interstitial nephritis due to a drug reaction.
  • • A patient with chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis due to recurrent urinary tract infections.
  • • A patient with renal sclerosis due to hypertension.
  • • A patient with a history of renal tubulo-interstitial disease who is receiving dialysis.
  • • A patient with a renal tubulo-interstitial disease who is being evaluated for a kidney transplant.

Resources & References

Resources for coding renal tubulo-interstitial diseases include the official ICD-10 guidelines, clinical reference books, and educational materials from professional coding organizations.

Official Guidelines:

  • ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
  • American Hospital Association's Coding Clinic
  • National Center for Health Statistics

Clinical References:

  • Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine
  • Brenner and Rector's The Kidney

Educational Materials:

  • American Academy of Professional Coders
  • American Health Information Management Association

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a code from the N10-N16 range for a patient with a renal disease that is not tubulo-interstitial?

No, the N10-N16 range is specifically for renal tubulo-interstitial diseases. Other renal diseases have their own codes.