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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesNephrolithiasis

Nephrolithiasis

ICD-10 Coding for Kidney Stones(N20.0, N13.2)

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

Diagnosis Overview

What is Nephrolithiasis?
Essential facts and insights about Kidney Stones

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Severe flank pain (renal colic)
  • Hematuria (blood in urine)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Key diagnostic tests: CT scan, ultrasound, X-ray
  • Physical exam findings: costovertebral angle tenderness

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Required documentation elements: patient history, symptom description, imaging results
  • Specific coding terminology: nephrolithiasis, calculi, ureterolithiasis
  • Documentation examples: 'Patient presents with flank pain and hematuria, CT scan confirms nephrolithiasis.'

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Usage guidelines: Use specific codes based on stone location and type.
  • Common errors: Misclassifying the type of stone or failing to document symptoms.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excluded conditions: Urinary tract infections, renal tumors.
  • Alternative codes: Consider using N21 for other urinary calculi.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
N20.0
Calculus of kidney
N20.1
Calculus of ureter
N20.9
Urinary calculus, unspecified
Ancillary Codes
R31.9
R31.1
Differential Codes
N21.0
N20.1

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Urology

Specialty Applications

  • Patient populations: Adults, particularly those with a history of kidney stones.
  • Clinical settings: Emergency departments, urology clinics, outpatient settings.

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?

Include detailed patient history, imaging results, and symptomatology.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect the type and location of stones for proper reimbursement.