I50.9

Heart failure, unspecified

Diseases of the circulatory system Billable
Quick Reference
Documented heart failure when specific type (systolic vs. diastolic, acute vs. chronic) is not specified

Clinical Information

When to Use This Code

Documented heart failure when specific type (systolic vs. diastolic, acute vs. chronic) is not specified

Common Clinical Scenarios

  • Initial heart failure diagnosis pending echocardiogram
  • Heart failure documented without ejection fraction data
  • Emergency department CHF without complete workup

Documentation Requirements

  • Document clinical signs: dyspnea, edema, rales, elevated JVP
  • Record ejection fraction if available for more specific coding
  • Specify acute vs. chronic and systolic vs. diastolic when known
  • Document NYHA functional class

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Terms

These terms are included in this code:

Congestive heart failure (CHF)Heart failure NOSCardiac failure

Exclusion Terms

Do NOT use this code for:

  • Neonatal cardiac failure (P29.0)
  • Cardiac arrest (I46.-)
  • Use more specific codes when ejection fraction is known

Coding Notes

Code more specifically when ejection fraction documented
Consider I50.2- for systolic, I50.3- for diastolic, I50.4- for combined
Add codes for underlying conditions causing heart failure

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Code Details

Code
I50.9
Category
Diseases of the circulatory system
Billable Status
Billable

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