What CPT® code is appropriate for a patient diagnosed with benign hypertension and stage 3 chronic kidney disease?

The appropriate CPT® code for a patient diagnosed with benign hypertension and stage 3 chronic kidney disease is aligned with documenting both conditions accurately. The chosen option includes I12.9, which is specifically used for hypertension (in this case, benign) associated with chronic kidney disease, and N18.3, which corresponds to stage 3 chronic kidney disease.

This combination reflects the relationship between the hypertension and the kidney disease, highlighting the need to report that the hypertension is a complication of the kidney condition. This is important not only for accurate coding but also for ensuring proper patient management and treatment strategies.

Choosing other options may fail to capture the specific association between hypertension and chronic kidney disease or may misrepresent the stage of the kidney disease. Therefore, this particular set of codes accurately represents the patient's clinical picture.