What is the diagnosis code for uncontrolled hypertension?
A. The ICD-9 does not categorize hypertension by level of control. Hypertension is categorized as benign or malignant. If a note indicates only “uncontrolled hypertension”, the correct coding is 401.9, “hypertension, unspecified”. If there is hypertensive heart or kidney disease present, these should be noted and coded in the 402.X or 403.X range. You should not code 401.1 unless your documentation says that the hypertension is benign.
