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I10 ICD-10-CM Code: Essential (primary) hypertension

I10 is the billable ICD-10-CM code for “Essential (primary) hypertension” in the FY 2027 U.S. code set, effective Oct 1, 2026.

Official description

I10

Essential (primary) hypertension

ICD-10-CM diagnosis code · United States clinical modification

Coding tips for I10

Essential hypertension when no heart failure, linked heart condition or chronic kidney disease is documented.

What to document

  • ICD-10-CM presumes hypertension is linked to heart failure, a few other heart conditions (I51.4, I51.5, I51.7, I51.89, I51.9) and chronic kidney disease, unless the note says they’re unrelated. Code those with I11, I12 or I13 instead of I10.
  • Add the companion codes: an I50 code for the type of heart failure, if present, and an N18 code for the CKD stage with I12 or I13.

Watch for

  • Coronary artery disease isn’t presumed to be hypertensive: report I10 with the I25 code unless the provider links them.
  • Hypertension in pregnancy is coded in O10, O11 or O13 to O16, which I10 excludes.
  • An elevated reading without a hypertension diagnosis is R03.0.

Codes that look alike

I11.9Hypertensive heart disease without heart failureI12.9Hypertensive chronic kidney disease with stage 1 through stage 4 chronic kidney disease, or unspecified chronic kidney diseaseHypertensive CKD, stage 1 to 4 or unspecified.I13.10Hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease without heart failure, with stage 1 through stage 4 chronic kidney disease, or unspecified chronic kidney diseaseHypertensive heart and kidney disease, without heart failure.R03.0Elevated blood-pressure reading, without diagnosis of hypertensionElevated blood pressure reading, no diagnosis of hypertension.
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, FY 2027, Section I.C.9.aICD-10-CM notes for I10

Where I10 sits

  1. 1

    Chapter 9

    Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99)

  2. 2

    Section

    Hypertensive diseases (I10-I1A)

  3. 3

    Category I10

    Essential (primary) hypertension

  4. 4

    Code I10

    Essential (primary) hypertension

Notes for this code

Inclusion terms

No inclusion terms are listed for I10.

Code first

No “code first” instruction is listed for I10.

Use additional code

No “use additional code” instruction is listed for I10.

Excludes1

Conditions that should not be reported together with this code.

  • hypertensive disease complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O10-O11, O13-O16)

Excludes2

Conditions not included here that may be reported separately when present.

  • essential (primary) hypertension involving vessels of brain (I60-I69)
  • essential (primary) hypertension involving vessels of eye (H35.0-)

Source and release

Data release
U.S. ICD-10-CM · FY 2027
Effective date
Oct 1, 2026

This reference is generated from Vero’s ICD-10-CM description, hierarchy, and code-note dataset. The visible content and structured data share that source.

Review the CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM source

Frequently asked questions

What does ICD-10-CM code I10 mean?

I10 is the FY 2027 U.S. ICD-10-CM code for “Essential (primary) hypertension.”

Is I10 a billable or specific ICD-10-CM code?

Yes. In the FY 2027 reference data used on this page, I10 has no child codes and is presented as a billable/specific code. Always confirm the active code set and payer requirements before use.

Where is I10 located in ICD-10-CM?

I10 is listed in Chapter 9, Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99), within Hypertensive diseases (I10-I1A) (I10–I1A), under category I10, Essential (primary) hypertension.

What coding notes are listed for I10?

No inclusion terms are listed for I10 in this reference record. No code-first instruction is listed. Excludes1 notes: hypertensive disease complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O10-O11, O13-O16). Excludes2 notes: essential (primary) hypertension involving vessels of brain (I60-I69); essential (primary) hypertension involving vessels of eye (H35.0-).