Other disorders of kidney and ureter in diseases classified elsewhere
In Other disorders of kidney and ureter (N25-N29), chapter 14: Diseases of the Genitourinary System
- N29 is billable and valid on claims for FY 2027. If the record has more detail, check the other codes under N25-N29 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).
- Can't be the principal diagnosis: code the underlying condition first. (Manifestation list)
Also indexed as: Calcification, kidney, tuberculous
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Instructional notes
Excludes1: not coded here, use a different code
Code first: code the underlying condition first, then this code
- underlying disease, such as:
- amyloidosis (E85.-)
- nephrocalcinosis (E83.59)
- schistosomiasis (B65.0-B65.9)
Also applies, from Other disorders of kidney and ureter (N25-N29)
These notes sit on N25-N29 and apply to every code under it, including N29.
Excludes2: not included here, code separately if applicable
- disorders of kidney and ureter with urolithiasis (N20-N23)
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 N25-N29
Other disorders of kidney and ureter (N25-N29)
- N25Disorders resulting from impaired renal tubular function
- N26Unspecified contracted kidney
- N27Small kidney of unknown cause
- N28Other disorders of kidney and ureter, not elsewhere classified
- N29Other disorders of kidney and ureter in diseases classified elsewhere(this code)
N29 MS-DRGs
As the principal diagnosis, N29 groups to MS-DRG 698, 699, or 700 (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.
N29 is in Other specified and unspecified diseases of kidney and ureters (GEN006), 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 N29
These 4 Medicare billing and coding articles list N29 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 N29
Notes on these codes point to N29.
About the condition
Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.
Kidney Diseases
You have two kidneys, each about the size of your fist. They are near the middle of your back, just below the rib cage. Inside each kidney there are about a million tiny structures called nephrons. They filter your blood. They remove wastes and extra water, which become urine. The urine flows through tubes called ureters. It goes to your bladder, which stores the urine until you go to the bathroom.
Read more about kidney diseases on MedlinePlusUreteral Disorders
Your kidneys make urine by filtering wastes and extra water from your blood. The urine travels from the kidneys to the bladder in two thin tubes called ureters.
Read more about ureteral disorders 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).
- 593.9 Unspecified disorder of kidney and ureter (approximate)