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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesE16.3

E16.3

Billable

Increased secretion of glucagon

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/05/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 E16.3 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of increased secretion of glucagon.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Increased secretion of glucagon is a condition characterized by elevated levels of glucagon, a hormone produced by the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets. Glucagon plays a crucial role in glucose metabolism by promoting gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, leading to increased blood glucose levels. This condition can be associated with various disorders, including hyperinsulinism, where excessive insulin secretion leads to hypoglycemia, prompting the pancreas to secrete more glucagon to counteract low blood sugar levels. Pancreatic islet disorders, such as glucagonoma, can also lead to increased glucagon secretion. Clinically, patients may present with symptoms of hyperglycemia, weight loss, and, in some cases, signs of diabetes mellitus. The management of increased glucagon secretion often involves addressing the underlying cause, which may include surgical intervention for tumors or medical management for metabolic disorders. Understanding the interplay between glucagon, insulin, and glucose metabolism is essential for effective diagnosis and treatment.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Differentiating between primary glucagon excess and secondary causes related to insulin dysregulation.
  • Understanding the relationship between glucagon levels and glucose metabolism disorders.
  • Identifying associated conditions such as glucagonoma or other pancreatic islet cell tumors.
  • Navigating documentation requirements for various specialties involved in treatment.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of glucagon levels and their clinical significance.
  • Failure to link increased glucagon secretion to specific clinical conditions.
  • Misclassification of related pancreatic disorders.
  • Lack of clarity in distinguishing between primary and secondary causes of glucagon excess.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Endocrinology

Documentation Requirements

Detailed lab results showing glucagon levels, patient history of glucose metabolism disorders, and treatment plans.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with hypoglycemia, weight loss, or diabetes symptoms requiring glucagon assessment.

Billing Considerations

Endocrinologists must ensure comprehensive documentation of all metabolic parameters to support the diagnosis.

Oncology

Documentation Requirements

Pathology reports confirming the presence of glucagonoma or other islet cell tumors, imaging studies.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with suspected pancreatic tumors presenting with hyperglycemia and weight loss.

Billing Considerations

Oncologists should document tumor characteristics and treatment plans to justify coding.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use E16.3 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, E16
  • 3 should be used when there is clear documentation of increased glucagon secretion, with specific mention of the underlying cause if applicable
  • Coders should ensure that all relevant clinical information is captured to support the diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use E16.3 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

82947CPT Code

Glucose test, fasting

Clinical Scenario

Used to assess glucose metabolism in patients suspected of glucagon excess.

Documentation Requirements

Document fasting status and reason for testing.

Specialty Considerations

Endocrinologists should correlate test results with clinical findings.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of conditions like increased glucagon secretion, improving the accuracy of diagnoses and treatment plans. This specificity aids in better tracking of patient outcomes and resource allocation.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of conditions like increased glucagon secretion, improving the accuracy of diagnoses and treatment plans. This specificity aids in better tracking of patient outcomes and resource allocation.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of conditions like increased glucagon secretion, improving the accuracy of diagnoses and treatment plans. This specificity aids in better tracking of patient outcomes and resource allocation.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    American Diabetes Association

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    American Diabetes Association

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common causes of increased glucagon secretion?

Common causes include glucagonoma, hyperinsulinism, and other pancreatic islet cell disorders. It can also occur as a compensatory response to hypoglycemia.