CHF Exacerbation ICD-10-CM Codes

Here’s a short guide for ICD-10 codes for CHR exacerbation featuring information on the diagnosis, billability, synonyms, and more.

By Harriet Murray on Feb 29, 2024.

Fact Checked by RJ Gumban.

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CHF Exacerbation ICD-10-CM Codes

What ICD-10 Codes are Used for CHF Exacerbation 

Currently, the accurate ICD-10 Code for CHF exacerbation is I50.9: Heart failure, unspecified. 

However, there are ICD codes used for CHF that may lead to exacerbation. These are:

Systolic (congestive) heart failure

  • I50.20: Unspecified systolic (congestive) heart failure
  • I50.21: Acute systolic (congestive) heart failure
  • I50.22: Chronic systolic (congestive) heart failure
  • I50.23: Acute chronic systolic (congestive) heart failure

Diastolic (congestive) heart failure

  • I50.30: Unspecified diastolic (congestive) heart failure
  • I50.31: Acute diastolic (congestive) heart failure
  • I50.32: Chronic diastolic (congestive) heart failure
  • I50.33: Acute on chronic diastolic (congestive) heart failure

Combined systolic (congestive) and diastolic (congestive) heart failure

  • I50.40: Unspecified combined systolic (congestive) and diastolic (congestive) heart failure
  • I50.41: Acute combined systolic (congestive) and diastolic (congestive) heart failure
  • I50.42: Chronic combined systolic (congestive) and diastolic (congestive) heart failure
  • I50.43: Acute on chronic combined systolic (congestive) and diastolic (congestive) heart failure

Which CHF Exacerbation ICD codes are Billable: 

All of the ICD-10 codes mentioned above are billable. 

Clinical Information

  • A CHF exacerbation occurs when a patient's symptoms of congestive heart failure worsen temporarily. The primary causes of CHF exacerbations include medication, high sodium intake, and lung infections.
  • Common symptoms experienced during a CHF exacerbation include stomach bloating, weight gain, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, and feeling full even after consuming only a few bites of food.
  • A healthcare practitioner will conduct a physical examination, imaging tests, and blood and lab tests to diagnose a CHF exacerbation.
  • The goal of treatment is typically to reduce fluid volume in the patient's body. This can be achieved by administering diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, adjusting current medication, or addressing the underlying cause of the exacerbation.

Synonyms Include:

  • Exacerbation of congestive heart failure
  • Chronic heart failure
  • Cardiac edema
  • Acute congestive heart failure
  • Benign hypertensive heart disease
Medical Billing and Coding Software

Commonly asked questions

When to use a CHF Exacerbation ICD code?

You can use the CHF Exacerbation ICD code when you’ve assessed with tests that the patient’s CHF has exacerbated. 

Are CHF Exacerbation diagnoses billable?

Yes, the lone CHF exacerbation and its related ICD-10 codes used for CHF are billable. 

What are the common treatments for CHF Exacerbation?

Common treatments of CHF exacerbation are medication aiming to either treat the cause of the exacerbation, switch out/adjust the medication causing the exacerbation, or giving medication that will remove excess fluid from the patient’s body.

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