Pre-existing htn with pre-eclampsia, comp the puerperium

This code signifies a patient who had pre-existing hypertension prior to pregnancy and subsequently developed pre-eclampsia during the postpartum period. It describes a serious hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that continues to manifest or is diagnosed after childbirth, specifically in a patient with a history of high blood pressure.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a patient with a pre-existing diagnosis of hypertension who then develops pre-eclampsia during the puerperium (up to six weeks postpartum). Supporting documentation would include a history of chronic hypertension, a new diagnosis of pre-eclampsia postpartum, and signs/symptoms such as new-onset proteinuria, severe headaches, or visual disturbances.

• Ensure documentation specifies "pre-existing" or "chronic" hypertension, not gestational hypertension.
• Confirm the pre-eclampsia diagnosis occurred during the puerperium, not during pregnancy or labor/delivery.
• Sequence this code as the principal diagnosis if it is the reason for the encounter, followed by codes for specific manifestations of pre-eclampsia.