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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesLow Potassium

Low Potassium

ICD-10 Coding for Low Potassium(E87.6)

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

Diagnosis Overview

What is Low Potassium?
Essential facts and insights about Low Potassium

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Muscle weakness or cramps
  • Fatigue or lethargy
  • Palpitations or irregular heart rhythms
  • Key diagnostic tests: Serum potassium levels, ECG changes
  • Physical exam findings: Hyporeflexia, muscle tenderness

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Required documentation elements: Patient history, lab results, clinical symptoms
  • Specific coding terminology: Hypokalemia, electrolyte imbalance
  • Documentation examples: 'Patient presents with muscle weakness and serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L.'

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Usage guidelines: Use E87.6 for hypokalemia; consider additional codes for underlying causes.
  • Common errors: Failing to document severity or associated conditions.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excluded conditions: Hyperkalemia, normal potassium levels
  • Alternative codes: E87.7 (Other electrolyte disorders)

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
E87.6
Hypokalemia
Ancillary Codes
R53.83
Differential Codes
E87.5

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Nephrology

Specialty Applications

  • Patient populations: Individuals with renal disease, those on diuretics
  • Clinical settings: Nephrology clinics, emergency departments

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

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

Documentation requirements?

Document clinical symptoms, lab results, and treatment plan.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect severity and associated conditions.