2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code N17Acute kidney failure

ICD-10-CM Codes›N00–N99›N17-N19›N17

ICD-10-CM N17
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

N17 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for acute kidney failure, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as N17.0, N17.1, N17.2, and N17.8.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
N17
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Acute kidney failure
Short Description
Acute kidney failure
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
N17-N19
Acute kidney failure and chronic kidney disease

Code Classification

ChapterN00–N99Diseases of the genitourinary system
SectionN17-N19Acute kidney failure and chronic kidney disease
CategoryN17Acute kidney failure
This CodeN17Acute kidney failure

Specific Coding for Acute kidney failureOverview

Non-specific codes like N17 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use N17.0 for Acute kidney failure with tubular necrosis

  • Use N17.1 for Acute kidney failure with acute cortical necrosis

  • Use N17.2 for Acute kidney failure with medullary necrosis

  • Use N17.8 for Other acute kidney failure

  • Use N17.9 for Acute kidney failure, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to N17: its own notes plus those printed at block N17-N19 and Chapter 14. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • posttraumatic renal failure (T79.5)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Block N17-N19 Acute kidney failure and chronic kidney disease applies to 15 codes
  • congenital renal failure (P96.0)
  • drug- and heavy-metal-induced tubulo-interstitial and tubular conditions (N14.-)
  • extrarenal uremia (R39.2)
  • hemolytic-uremic syndrome (D59.3-)
  • hepatorenal syndrome (K76.7)
  • postpartum hepatorenal syndrome (O90.41)
  • posttraumatic renal failure (T79.5)
  • prerenal uremia (R39.2)
  • renal failure complicating abortion or ectopic or molar pregnancy (O00-O07, O08.4)
  • renal failure following labor and delivery (O90.41)
  • renal failure postprocedural (N99.0)
From Chapter 14 (N00-N99) Diseases of the genitourinary system applies to 838 codes
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Code Also

A second code may be needed to fully describe the condition; the note gives no sequencing direction.

  • associated underlying condition

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name N17, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming N17: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • N19 Unspecified kidney failure
    acute kidney failure (N17.-)

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming N17: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • I12 Hypertensive chronic kidney disease
    acute kidney failure (N17.-)
  • N14.11 Contrast-induced nephropathy
    acute kidney failure (N17.-)

Code First 1

These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and N17 is one of the conditions named.

  • I5A Non-ischemic myocardial injury (non-traumatic)
    acute kidney failure (N17.-)

Use Additional Code 4

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and N17 is one of the codes named.

  • I75.81 Atheroembolism of kidney
    code for any associated acute kidney failure and chronic kidney disease (N17.-, N18.-)
  • M31.11 Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy [HSCT-TMA]
    acute kidney failure (N17.-)
  • R65.11 Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) of non-infectious origin with acute organ dysfunction
    acute kidney failure (N17.-)
  • R65.2 Severe sepsis
    acute kidney failure (N17.-)

Code Also 4

These codes say N17 may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.

  • D59.3 Hemolytic-uremic syndrome
    acute kidney failure (N17.-)
  • I16.1 Hypertensive emergency
    acute kidney injury (N17.-)
  • M35.81 Multisystem inflammatory syndrome
    acute kidney failure (N17.-)
  • Block N00-N08 Glomerular diseases
    any associated kidney failure (N17-N19).

Patient EducationClinical

Kidney Failure

Healthy kidneys clean your blood by removing excess fluid, minerals, and wastes. They also make hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy. But if the kidneys are damaged, they don't work properly. Harmful wastes can build up in your body. Your blood pressure may rise.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About N17Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for acute kidney failure?

N17 is the ICD-10-CM category for acute kidney failure, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is N17 (Acute kidney failure) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for acute kidney failure, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for acute kidney failure need a more specific code from this category, such as N17.0, N17.1, and N17.2.

Can N17 be reported with T79.5?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on N17 lists "posttraumatic renal failure (T79.5)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).