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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAbnormal Cholesterol Level

Abnormal Cholesterol Level

ICD-10 Coding for Abnormal Cholesterol Level(E78.00, E78.2, E78.5)

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

Diagnosis Overview

What is Abnormal Cholesterol Level?
Essential facts and insights about Abnormal Cholesterol Level

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Presence of high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
  • Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
  • Increased levels of total cholesterol
  • Presence of high triglyceride levels

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Specific cholesterol levels obtained from laboratory results
  • Patient's history of hyperlipidemia or other related conditions
  • Documentation of any related symptoms or complications
  • Record of prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • E78.00 is used for pure hypercholesterolemia, unspecified
  • E78.2 is for mixed hyperlipidemia, which includes high levels of both cholesterol and triglycerides
  • E78.5 is for hyperlipidemia, unspecified

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Lipid storage disorders
  • Lipoprotein deficiencies

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
E78.00
Pure hypercholesterolemia, unspecified
E78.2
Mixed hyperlipidemia
E78.5
Hyperlipidemia, unspecified
Differential Codes
E78.01

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Cardiology

Specialty Applications

  • Patients with a family history of high cholesterol
  • Patients with lifestyle factors contributing to high cholesterol, such as poor diet or lack of exercise
  • Patients with related conditions such as diabetes or hypertension

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

Patient presents with elevated cholesterol levels as evidenced by laboratory results.

Template 2

Patient has a history of hyperlipidemia and is currently on cholesterol-lowering medication.

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 is the difference between E78.00 and E78.2?

E78.00 is for pure hypercholesterolemia, while E78.2 is for mixed hyperlipidemia, which includes high levels of both cholesterol and triglycerides.

When should E78.5 be used?

E78.5 should be used when the type of hyperlipidemia is not specified in the patient's medical record.