When is ICD-10 code I82.81 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code I82.81 when recording embolism and thrombosis of superficial veins of lower extremities in a standardized format. This entry may also act as a broader category that points toward more specific child codes.

Does ICD-10 code I82.81 confirm a diagnosis?

No. A code helps standardize documentation and claims, but it should not be read as a substitute for a clinician's full assessment.

ICD10

ICD-10 Code I82.81: Embolism and thrombosis of superficial veins of lower extremities

Name: ICD-10 Code I82.81: Embolism and thrombosis of superficial veins of lower extremities
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T06:14:15.178Z

I82.81 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Embolism and thrombosis of superficial veins of lower extremities. You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen. ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99).

When is it used?

May be used when a clinician documents embolism and thrombosis of superficial veins of lower extremities in a patient's medical record.
May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.

What it does not mean

A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.

Code hierarchy

chapter

9Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99)

block

I80-I89Diseases of veins, lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes, not elsewhere classified

Official coding notes

Inclusion terms

Embolism and thrombosis of saphenous vein (greater) (lesser)

Where you may see this code

You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.

Related specialists

CardiologistGeneral Physician

Sibling codes

I82.89Embolism and thrombosis of other specified veins

Coding guidelines

Common synonyms

Embolism and thrombosis of superficial veins of lower extremities

Frequently asked questions

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.