Unspecified renal colic
In Urolithiasis (N20-N23), chapter 14: Diseases of the Genitourinary System
- N23 is an unspecified code: use it only when the record doesn't document anything more specific. If the record has more detail, check the other codes under N20-N23 below.
- As a secondary diagnosis it is not a CC or MCC, so it doesn't raise the MS-DRG payment.
- Doesn't count toward a Medicare Advantage risk score (no HCC in V28).
- AHRQ's Chronic Condition Indicator classes it as not chronic (an acute or short-term condition).
Also indexed as: Colic, kidney; Colic, nephritic; Colic, renal; Colic, ureter; Nephralgia; Pain, kidney; Pain, ureter; Pain, urinary; Ureteralgia
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Official coding guidelines
From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.
Covers chronic kidney disease staging, CKD in kidney transplant patients, and sequencing CKD with related conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
- Chronic kidney disease (page 62)
Other codes under N20-N23
Urolithiasis (N20-N23)
- N20Calculus of kidney and ureter
- N21Calculus of lower urinary tract
- N22Calculus of urinary tract in diseases classified elsewhere
- N23Unspecified renal colic(this code)
N23 MS-DRGs
As the principal diagnosis, N23 groups to MS-DRG 693 or 694 (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.
Related conditions
Grouped by AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR), which sorts every diagnosis code into clinically meaningful categories.
N23 is in Other specified and unspecified diseases of kidney and ureters (GEN006, its default category), with 37 codes. Others in it:
- A18.11 Tuberculosis of kidney and ureter
- A54.21 Gonococcal infection of kidney and ureter
- N13.0 Hydronephrosis with ureteropelvic junction obstruction
- N13.1 Hydronephrosis with ureteral stricture, not elsewhere classified
- N13.2 Hydronephrosis with renal and ureteral calculous obstruction
- N13.30 Unspecified hydronephrosis
- N13.39 Other hydronephrosis
- N13.4 Hydroureter
Medicare coverage articles listing N23
These 2 Medicare billing and coding articles list N23 as a diagnosis that supports medical necessity for the services they cover. From the CMS Medicare Coverage Database; check your own contractor's article before billing.
Other codes that refer to N23
Notes on these codes point to N23.
About the condition
Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.
Kidney Stones
A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms in the kidney from substances in the urine. It may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pearl. Most kidney stones pass out of the body without help from a doctor. But sometimes a stone will not go away. It may get stuck in the urinary tract, block the flow of urine and cause great pain.
Read more about kidney stones on MedlinePlusPelvic Pain
Pelvic pain occurs mostly in the lower abdomen area. The pain might be steady, or it might come and go. It can be a sharp and stabbing pain in a specific spot, or a dull pain that is spread out. If the pain is severe, it might get in the way of your daily activities.
Read more about pelvic pain on MedlinePlusCode history
Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.
ICD-9-CM equivalent
Legacy crosswalk from the CMS General Equivalence Mappings (last updated 2018).
- 788.0 Renal colic