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ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAdrenal Cortical Adenoma

Adrenal Cortical Adenoma

ICD-10 Coding for Adrenal Cortical Adenoma(D35.01, D35.02)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYEndocrinology
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Adrenal Cortical Adenoma?
Essential facts and insights about Adrenal Cortical Adenoma

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Patients may present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, hypertension, or signs of Cushing's syndrome.
  • Laboratory findings may include elevated cortisol levels, abnormal ACTH levels, or imaging studies showing adrenal mass.
  • Physical examination may reveal signs of hormonal excess, such as obesity, striae, or hirsutism.
  • Imaging findings typically include a unilateral adrenal mass on CT or MRI, often described as well-circumscribed and homogeneous.
  • Severity criteria may involve the size of the adenoma (>4 cm may indicate a higher risk of malignancy) and functional status (hormone-secreting vs. non-secreting).

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Medical records must document the patient's symptoms, laboratory results, imaging findings, and clinical assessments.
  • Specific terminology such as 'adrenal cortical adenoma' and 'functional vs. non-functional' should be used.
  • Examples include documenting the size of the adenoma, hormonal assays performed, and any associated symptoms.
  • Medical necessity must be established through documentation of symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment plans.
  • Quality measures may include tracking the management of adrenal tumors and outcomes of surgical interventions.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use D35.01 for non-functional adrenal cortical adenoma and D35.02 for functional adenoma (e.g., secreting cortisol).
  • Do not use these codes for adrenal carcinoma or other adrenal masses that are not adenomas.
  • Related codes include D35.0 (benign neoplasm of adrenal gland) and C74.9 (malignant neoplasm of adrenal gland).
  • Common errors include misclassifying functional adenomas as non-functional or vice versa; ensure clinical documentation supports the diagnosis.
  • In complex cases, consider additional codes for associated conditions such as hypertension or diabetes.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excludes adrenal carcinoma, adrenal metastases, and other adrenal gland disorders.
  • Alternative codes for excluded conditions include C74.0 for malignant neoplasm of adrenal gland.
  • Conditions are excluded due to differences in treatment approaches and prognosis.
  • Common mistakes include coding adrenal adenomas when the diagnosis is actually carcinoma.
  • Related but distinct conditions include adrenal hyperplasia and pheochromocytoma.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
D35.01
Benign neoplasm of adrenal cortex, right
D35.02
Benign neoplasm of adrenal cortex, left
Ancillary Codes
E24.0
Differential Codes
D44.10

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Endocrinology

Specialty Applications

  • This diagnosis applies to patients with adrenal masses confirmed via imaging.
  • Patient populations may include adults, with a higher prevalence in females aged 30-60.
  • Clinical settings include outpatient endocrinology clinics and inpatient surgical units.
  • Specialty-specific applications are relevant in endocrinology and oncology.
  • Treatment contexts may involve surgical resection or medical management of hormone excess.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template: 'Patient diagnosed with adrenal cortical adenoma based on imaging findings and elevated cortisol levels.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with adrenal cortical adenoma including hypertension and abdominal discomfort.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria met as evidenced by imaging showing a 3 cm left adrenal mass.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for adrenal cortical adenoma with surgical intervention planned.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for adrenal cortical adenoma including monitoring cortisol levels and imaging studies.'

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this diagnosis?

Documentation must include clinical findings, imaging results, and laboratory tests supporting the diagnosis.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Adrenal cortical adenoma is benign, while adrenal carcinoma is malignant; differentiation is based on imaging and histology.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that the diagnosis is supported by clinical documentation to optimize reimbursement and avoid denials.

What procedures are typically associated?

Common procedures include adrenalectomy and hormonal assays to assess functional status.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include tracking surgical outcomes and management of hormone-secreting adenomas.