ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code N19: Unspecified kidney failure

N19 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Unspecified kidney failure in medical records and claims. You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records. ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the genitourinary system (N00-N99).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the genitourinary system (N00-N99).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents unspecified kidney failure in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.

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.

Code hierarchy

chapter
14Diseases of the genitourinary system (N00-N99)
block
N17-N19Acute kidney failure and chronic kidney disease
currentN17-N19

Official coding notes

Inclusion terms
  • Uremia NOS
Excludes1 (do not code together)
  • acute kidney failure (N17.-)
  • chronic kidney disease (N18.-)
  • chronic uremia (N18.9)
  • extrarenal uremia (R39.2)
  • prerenal uremia (R39.2)
  • renal insufficiency (acute) (N28.9)
  • uremia of newborn (P96.0)

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.

Related specialists

NephrologistGeneral Physician

Related tests

Serum creatinine
Commonly reviewed in kidney failure assessment.
Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
Often used to assess kidney function severity.
Serum potassium
May be relevant when reviewing electrolyte complications of kidney failure.

Related procedures

Hemodialysis
May appear in kidney failure care pathways.
Peritoneal dialysis
May appear in kidney failure care pathways.
Dialysis access procedure
May be part of treatment planning when renal replacement therapy is needed.

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
N19

Common synonyms

Unspecified kidney failure

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeN19
SystemICD10
Display nameUnspecified kidney failure
ChapterDiseases of the genitourinary system (N00-N99)
BlockAcute kidney failure and chronic kidney disease

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
AzotemiaFailure, failedFailure, failedStasisStasisUremia, uremic
See also
Disease, kidney, chronic

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.

ICD-10 Code N19 for Unspecified kidney failure | HealthAssure