N26.9 Renal sclerosis, unspecified

The ICD-10-CM code for Renal sclerosis, unspecified is N26.9 (FY2026). It is a billable, claim-ready diagnosis code.

Classification

Chapter

14: Diseases of the genitourinary system (N00-N99)

Section

N25-N29: Other disorders of kidney and ureter (N25-N29)

Category N26

4 codes (3 billable)

FY2026 Status

Stable since FY2024

Also Known As

ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index entries that lead to N26.9:

• Nephrosclerosis (arteriolar)(arteriosclerotic) (chronic) (hyaline) › senile
• Nephritis, nephritic (albuminuric) (azotemic) (congenital) (disseminated) (epithelial) (familial) (focal) (granulomatous) (hemorrhagic) (infantile) (nonsuppurative, excretory) (uremic) › cirrhotic
• Sclerosis, sclerotic › renal
• Contraction (s), contracture, contracted › kidney (granular) (secondary)
• Fibrosis, fibrotic › kidney

U.S. Hospital Utilization

• An estimated 4,790 U.S. inpatient stays in 2023 included N26.9 among the documented diagnoses.
• 160 stays listed it as the principal diagnosis.

Source: National Inpatient Sample (NIS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2016–2023. National survey-weighted estimates.

Official Coding Guidelines

CKD staging and code assignment (N18.-)

The ICD-10-CM classifies CKD based on severity. The severity of CKD is designated by stages 1-5. Stage 2, code N18.2, equates to mild CKD; stage 3, codes N18.30-N18.32, equate to moderate CKD; and stage 4, code N18.4, equates to severe CKD. Code N18.6, End stage renal disease (ESRD), is assigned when the provider has documented end- stage renal disease (ESRD).

CKD stage plus ESRD: assign N18.6 only

If both a stage of CKD and ESRD are documented, assign code N18.6 only.

Source: CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026

References

• CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Code Set and Guidelines, FY2026
• CDC/NCHS — ICD-10-CM Files and Browser Tool
• AHRQ — HCUP National Inpatient Sample, Frequencies by Diagnosis Code (2016–2023)