ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

ICD-10 Guide

Arterial Occlusive Disease

ICD-10 Coding for Arterial Occlusive Disease(I70.2, I65.2)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYEndocrinology

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Arterial Occlusive Disease?

Essential facts and insights about Arterial Occlusive Disease

Key Clinical Considerations:

Patients may present with intermittent claudication, rest pain, or non-healing ulcers.
Doppler ultrasound may show reduced or absent blood flow in affected arteries.
Physical examination may reveal diminished or absent pulses in the extremities.
Angiography may demonstrate occlusion or stenosis in the arterial supply.
Severity can be staged using the Rutherford classification, ranging from asymptomatic to critical limb ischemia.

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Medical records must include a detailed history of symptoms and risk factors.
Specific terminology such as 'arterial occlusive disease' or 'peripheral artery disease' must be used.
Examples include documenting the location of occlusion and any associated symptoms.
Medical necessity must be established through documentation of symptoms and diagnostic findings.
Quality measures may include documenting the patient's functional status and treatment response.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Use I70.2 for atherosclerosis of the arteries of the extremities when there is documented occlusion.
Do not use this code for venous occlusive disease or other non-arterial conditions.
I65.2 is used for occlusion of the carotid artery, which is related but distinct from peripheral arterial occlusion.
Common errors include misclassifying venous diseases as arterial occlusive disease; ensure proper differentiation.
In complex cases, consider the patient's complete vascular status and document all relevant findings.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Excludes venous occlusive disease (I87.2) and other non-arterial conditions.
Alternative codes for excluded conditions include I82 for venous embolism and thrombosis.
Conditions are excluded due to the distinct pathophysiology and treatment approaches.
Common mistakes include using arterial codes for venous conditions; ensure accurate diagnosis.
Related but distinct conditions include Raynaud's phenomenon and thromboangiitis obliterans.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Endocrinology

Specialty Applications

Applies to patients with peripheral artery disease, particularly those with atherosclerotic changes.
Common in older adults, particularly those with risk factors like smoking, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia.
Clinical settings include outpatient vascular clinics, inpatient settings for severe cases, and emergency departments.
Relevant for specialties such as cardiology, vascular surgery, and endocrinology.
Used in treatment contexts involving lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and surgical interventions.

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 arterial occlusive disease based on clinical findings of intermittent claudication.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with arterial occlusive disease including rest pain and non-healing ulcers.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria met as evidenced by Doppler ultrasound showing reduced blood flow.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for arterial occlusive disease with lifestyle modifications and pharmacotherapy.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for arterial occlusive disease including monitoring of symptoms and vascular status.'

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?

Detailed documentation of symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment plans is required.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Arterial occlusive disease specifically refers to arterial blockages, while venous diseases involve different pathologies.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that all documentation supports medical necessity and aligns with payer requirements for reimbursement.

What procedures are typically associated?

Commonly associated procedures include angioplasty, stenting, and bypass surgery.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include tracking patient outcomes and adherence to treatment protocols.