What is the ICD-10 code for age-related cataract?

The ICD-10-CM code for age-related cataract is H25.9 when documented without further specification. More specific documentation changes the code — see the scenario table.

Yes — H25.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM code, but payers expect the most specific code the documentation supports.

ICD-10 Code for age-related cataract

The ICD-10-CM code for age-related cataract is H25.9 when documented without further specification. Age-related (senile) cataract codes in H25. H25.9 is unspecified age-related cataract. Selection is driven by the documented morphology - cortical (H25.01-), anterior subcapsular polar (H25.03-) - and by laterality (right, left, or bilateral eye).

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Symptom code vs. confirmed diagnosis

H25.9 is a confirmed-diagnosis code for a documented age-related cataract, not a symptom code. Documentation of the cataract morphology (e.g., cortical) and the laterality moves the coder off the unspecified H25.9 to a specific H25 subcode.

Which Code Should You Use?

H25.9 ✓ Billable — Unspecified age-related cataract

Unspecified age-related cataract (morphology and eye not specified).

H25.011 ✓ Billable — Cortical age-related cataract, right eye

Cortical age-related cataract, right eye.

H25.012 ✓ Billable — Cortical age-related cataract, left eye

Cortical age-related cataract, left eye.

H25.013 ✓ Billable — Cortical age-related cataract, bilateral

Cortical age-related cataract, bilateral.

What to Document

The cataract morphology - cortical (H25.01-), anterior subcapsular polar (H25.03-), or another documented type.
Laterality - right, left, or bilateral eye (e.g., cortical H25.011 right, H25.012 left, H25.013 bilateral).
That the cataract is documented as age-related (senile) rather than another type.

Common Documentation Pitfalls

Do not leave an age-related cataract at H25.9 when the morphology (e.g., cortical) and laterality are documented - a specific H25 subcode applies.
The laterality codes are distinct - code the documented eye (right, left, or bilateral) rather than the unspecified-eye option when the side is known.

Also Known As

Official ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index terms that point to H25.9:

Cataract (cortical) (immature) (incipient) › senile

Coding Notes

H25.9 is unspecified age-related cataract. Documented morphology - cortical (H25.01-), anterior subcapsular polar (H25.03-) - and laterality (right, left, bilateral) yield a specific H25 code, so the unspecified default should be rare when the eye and cataract type are recorded.