What is the ICD-10 code for hypertension?

The ICD-10-CM code for hypertension is I10 when documented without further specification. More specific documentation changes the code — see the scenario table.

Yes — I10 is a billable ICD-10-CM code, but payers expect the most specific code the documentation supports.

ICD-10 Code for hypertension

The ICD-10-CM code for hypertension is I10 when documented without further specification. RxHCC Essential (primary) hypertension is I10. Hypertension combined with heart or kidney disease uses combination categories I11-I13 instead - the conditions are presumed related per the Official Guidelines.

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Which Code Should You Use?

I10 ✓ Billable — Essential (primary) hypertension

Essential hypertension without documented heart or CKD involvement.

I11.9 ✓ Billable — Hypertensive heart disease without heart failure

Hypertensive heart disease without heart failure.

I12.9 ✓ Billable — Hypertensive chronic kidney disease with stage 1 through stage 4 chronic kidney disease, or unspecified chronic kidney disease

Hypertension with CKD stage 1-4 (or unspecified) - code also the N18.- stage.

I13.10 ✓ Billable — Hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease without heart failure, with stage 1 through stage 4 chronic kidney disease, or unspecified chronic kidney disease

Hypertension with both heart disease (no failure) and CKD stage 1-4.

R03.0 ✓ Billable — Elevated blood-pressure reading, without diagnosis of hypertension

Elevated blood-pressure reading WITHOUT a hypertension diagnosis.

What to Document

Whether heart disease or CKD is present (changes the category entirely).
Heart failure type/status if present (determines I11.0 + I50.- coding).
CKD stage (drives the I12/I13 4th-5th characters plus N18.-).

Instructional Notes for I10

Excludes1

Not coded here. These conditions should NOT be coded together with I10.

hypertensive disease complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O10-O11, O13-O16)

Excludes2

Not included here. These conditions are coded elsewhere but may be coded together if applicable.

essential (primary) hypertension involving vessels of brain (I60-I69)
essential (primary) hypertension involving vessels of eye (H35.0-)

Also Known As

Official ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index terms that point to I10:

Hypertension, hypertensive (accelerated) (benign) (essential) (idiopathic) (malignant) (systemic)

Coding Notes

Per Official Guidelines section I.C.9, hypertension with heart or kidney involvement is presumed causally related unless the provider documents a different cause - use the combination categories, not I10 plus a separate code.

Prevalence & Statistics

Nearly half of U.S. adults — 48.1%, or 119.9 million people — have high blood pressure, defined as systolic pressure above 130 mm Hg, diastolic pressure above 80 mm Hg, or taking medication for high blood pressure (NHANES 2017–March 2020). (CDC — High Blood Pressure Facts, 2017–March 2020 (NHANES))