End stage renal disease

This code signifies the most severe and irreversible stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD), where kidney function has deteriorated to the point of requiring renal replacement therapy (dialysis or transplantation) to sustain life. It indicates a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) typically below 15 mL/min/1.73 m², leading to a build-up of waste products and fluid in the body.

Apply this code when a patient has a confirmed diagnosis of end-stage renal disease, regardless of the underlying cause. Documentation should clearly state "end-stage renal disease," "ESRD," or indicate the patient is on chronic dialysis or has received a kidney transplant due to irreversible kidney failure.

• Always code the underlying cause of the ESRD first, if known and still active.
• Do not use this code for acute kidney failure or other stages of chronic kidney disease (e.g., CKD stages 1-5) unless the patient has progressed to ESRD.
• Ensure documentation specifies "end-stage" to differentiate from other chronic kidney disease stages.