N17
Non-Billable

Acute kidney failure

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Acute kidney failure?

ICD-10-CM N17 is the diagnosis code for Acute kidney failure. This code falls under the section "Acute kidney failure and chronic kidney disease" within Chapter 14 — Diseases of the genitourinary system (N00-N99). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for N17

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as N17. They are mutually exclusive:

  • posttraumatic renal failure (T79.5)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where N17 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 5 entries
N17.0Acute kidney failure with tubular necrosisBillableN17.1Acute kidney failure with acute cortical necrosisBillableN17.2Acute kidney failure with medullary necrosisBillableN17.8Other acute kidney failureBillableN17.9Acute kidney failure, unspecifiedBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is N17 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, N17 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does N17 mean?

N17 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Acute kidney failure". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is N17 in?

N17 is located in Section N17-N19 — "Acute kidney failure and chronic kidney disease" within Chapter 14 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of N17?

N17 has 5 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: N17.0, N17.1, N17.2, N17.8, N17.9.

When should I use N17?

Use N17 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Acute kidney failure" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

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

The ICD-10-CM code for Acute kidney failure is N17.

Can N17 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, N17 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is N17 in?

N17 is in Chapter 14 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from N17?

Type 1 Excludes for N17 include: posttraumatic renal failure (T79.5).

Is N17 valid for 2026?

Yes, N17 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousN16Renal tubulo-interstitial disorders in diseases classified elsewhereNext →N17.0Acute kidney failure with tubular necrosis
Code Details
N17
Acute kidney failure
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
14 — Diseases of the genitourinary system (N00-N99)
N17-N19 — Acute kidney failure and chronic kidney disease
2026 ICD-10-CM