2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code N26Unspecified contracted kidney

ICD-10-CM Codes›N00–N99›N25-N29›N26

ICD-10-CM N26
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

N26 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for unspecified contracted kidney, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as N26.1, N26.2, and N26.9.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
N26
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Unspecified contracted kidney
Short Description
Unspecified contracted kidney
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
N25-N29
Other disorders of kidney and ureter

Code Classification

ChapterN00–N99Diseases of the genitourinary system
SectionN25-N29Other disorders of kidney and ureter
CategoryN26Unspecified contracted kidney
This CodeN26Unspecified contracted kidney

Specific Coding for Unspecified contracted kidneyOverview

Non-specific codes like N26 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use N26.1 for Atrophy of kidney (terminal)

  • Use N26.2 for Page kidney

  • Use N26.9 for Renal sclerosis, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to N26: its own notes plus those printed at block N25-N29 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.

  • contracted kidney due to hypertension (I12.-)
  • diffuse sclerosing glomerulonephritis (N05.8.-)
  • hypertensive nephrosclerosis (arteriolar) (arteriosclerotic) (I12.-)
  • small kidney of unknown cause (N27.-)

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 N25-N29 Other disorders of kidney and ureter applies to 22 codes
  • disorders of kidney and ureter with urolithiasis (N20-N23)
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)

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name N26, its category, or a range that includes it.

Includes 1

These notes mention N26.

  • I12 Hypertensive chronic kidney disease
    any condition in N18 and N26 - due to hypertension

Patient EducationClinical

Kidney Diseases

You have two kidneys, each about the size of your fist. They are near the middle of your back, just below the rib cage. Inside each kidney there are about a million tiny structures called nephrons. They filter your blood. They remove wastes and extra water, which become urine. The urine flows through tubes called ureters.

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 N26Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for unspecified contracted kidney?

N26 is the ICD-10-CM category for unspecified contracted kidney, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is N26 (Unspecified contracted kidney) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for unspecified contracted kidney, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for unspecified contracted kidney need a more specific code from this category, such as N26.1, N26.2, and N26.9.

Can N26 be reported with a code from I12?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on N26 lists "contracted kidney due to hypertension (I12.-)". 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).