I76 ICD-10-CM Code: Septic arterial embolism

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for I76 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2026Effective: October 1, 2025

Coder workflow for I76

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Choose the right path

1. Is the underlying (etiologic) condition the Code First note names documented?
   Yes → Sequence the underlying condition first, then I76.
   No → Continue; do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

   ReviewI33.0, J85

Consider I76. Then work the Use Additional Code note, and confirm the code is valid for the date of service in the Verify section.

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement

Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).

The underlying (etiologic) condition

Named in the Code First note; sequenced before this code when documented (Guidelines I.A.13).

The conditions the Use Additional Code note names

Reported with this code when documented; a conditional instruction (“if applicable”, “if known”) applies only when the record supports it.

Official instructions as workflow

• Excludes2 — not part of I76(1 note)

  Coding workflow: The conditions named in this note are not included in I76. When the record documents both, both may be reported; the note is a boundary, not a prohibition.

  CompareI26.01, I26.90

  See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.b

• Code First — sequencing check(3 notes)

  Coding workflow: Check whether the underlying or etiologic condition the note names is documented. When it is, sequence it before I76. Do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

  ReviewI33.0, J85

  See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.13

• Use Additional Code — after identifying I76(1 note)

  Coding workflow: Check whether the documentation supports the additional code(s) the note names, and report them with I76 when it does. Where the instruction is conditional (“if applicable”, “if known”), it applies only when the record documents the condition.

  ReviewI74

  See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.13

Coding decision scenarios

Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Indexed Clinical Terms (3)

Official source data — entries quoted as published, in the Index’s own lookup phrasing

Clinical term phrases from the official ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries that map to this code. These are alphabetic-index entries shown as the Index writes them — lookup phrasing, not necessarily the wording of a final diagnosis.

• Embolism (multiple) (paradoxical), artery, septic
• Embolism (multiple) (paradoxical), pyemic (multiple)
• Embolism (multiple) (paradoxical), septic (arterial)

Don’t confuse I76 with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of I76 — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

• I26.01— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

  Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

  A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

  What moves you there: Documentation of septic pulmonary embolism adds I26.01; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

  Full comparison: I76 vs I26.01 →

• I26.90— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

  Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

  A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

  What moves you there: Documentation of septic pulmonary embolism adds I26.90; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

  Full comparison: I76 vs I26.90 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Decision Points

The directives on this code's own record, as a pre-claim checklist.

1. Sequencing: 3 Code First instructions — the underlying condition is sequenced before this code when present. See the Code First notes
2. 1 Use Additional Code instruction — report the named additional code(s) when the documentation supports them. See the Use Additional Code notes
3. 1 Excludes2 entry — those conditions are not part of this code and may be reported additionally when documented. See the Excludes2 notes

Checklist rows are derived from this code's own official directives; the wording of each check is MedCoder editorial. The official notes themselves are in the sections each row links to.

Verify Before Coding

• Principal-diagnosis restriction. The Medicare Code Editor lists this code as unacceptable as a principal diagnosis: it describes a circumstance influencing health status rather than a current illness or injury being treated. It is valid as a secondary diagnosis.
• CC as a secondary diagnosis (FY2026). Can raise the stay's MS-DRG severity tier.

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder structured relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name I76 or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.

Referenced by 2 Excludes2 notes: I26 — Pulmonary embolism, I74 — Arterial embolism and thrombosis.

These codes’ tabular lists name this diagnosis as distinct — both may be reported when both are documented.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2026)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2026 MS-DRG: CC — Complication or Comorbidity. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, this code raises the stay's MS-DRG severity tier — except when the principal diagnosis is one of 63 clinically related codes on its CMS exclusion list.

Named in the grouper logic of 5 MS-DRGs: DRG 299 (MDC 05), DRG 300 (MDC 05), DRG 301 (MDC 05), DRG 791 (MDC 15), DRG 793 (MDC 15).

From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):CIR030 — Aortic and peripheral arterial embolism or thrombosis (default); INF003 — Bacterial infections.

Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Related Codes

Same clinical process (MS-DRG)

Acts as CC — raises the severity of other admissions. CMS groups these diagnoses into one MS-DRG principal-diagnosis exclusion process — a CC/MCC on this list never raises severity when the principal diagnosis is also on it.

E13.618 — Other specified diabetes mellitus with other diabetic arthropathy, E13.620 — Other specified diabetes mellitus with diabetic dermatitis, E13.621 — Other specified diabetes mellitus with foot ulcer, E13.622 — Other specified diabetes mellitus with other skin ulcer, E13.628 — Other specified diabetes mellitus with other skin complications, E13.630 — Other specified diabetes mellitus with periodontal disease, E13.638 — Other specified diabetes mellitus with other oral complications, E13.649 — Other specified diabetes mellitus with hypoglycemia without coma, E13.65 — Other specified diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia, E13.69 — Other specified diabetes mellitus with other specified complication, E13.8 — Other specified diabetes mellitus with unspecified complications, I27.841 — Fontan-associated lymphatic dysfunction, I27.848 — Other Fontan-associated condition, I27.849 — Fontan related circulation, unspecified, I74.8 — Embolism and thrombosis of other arteries, I74.9 — Embolism and thrombosis of unspecified artery, I87.8 — Other specified disorders of veins, I87.9 — Disorder of vein, unspecified, I99.8 — Other disorder of circulatory system, I99.9 — Unspecified disorder of circulatory system, +43 more

Principal diagnosis restriction (Medicare Code Editor)

Not acceptable as a principal diagnosis on an inpatient claim.

Same CMS-HCC risk category (V28)

CMS maps these diagnoses to the same Hierarchical Condition Category (Vascular Disease with Complications) for risk-adjusted payment.

I74.09 — Other arterial embolism and thrombosis of abdominal aorta, I74.10 — Embolism and thrombosis of unspecified parts of aorta, I74.11 — Embolism and thrombosis of thoracic aorta, I74.19 — Embolism and thrombosis of other parts of aorta, I74.2 — Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of the upper extremities, I74.3 — Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of the lower extremities, I74.4 — Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of extremities, unspecified, I74.5 — Embolism and thrombosis of iliac artery, I74.8 — Embolism and thrombosis of other arteries, I74.9 — Embolism and thrombosis of unspecified artery, I75.011 — Atheroembolism of right upper extremity, I75.012 — Atheroembolism of left upper extremity, I75.013 — Atheroembolism of bilateral upper extremities, I75.019 — Atheroembolism of unspecified upper extremity, I75.021 — Atheroembolism of right lower extremity, I75.022 — Atheroembolism of left lower extremity, I75.023 — Atheroembolism of bilateral lower extremities, I75.029 — Atheroembolism of unspecified lower extremity, I75.81 — Atheroembolism of kidney, I75.89 — Atheroembolism of other site, +50 more

Related risk categories

These categories interact through CMS's HCC hierarchy — one can suppress the other's risk-adjustment weight when both are present on a claim.

Atherosclerosis of Arteries of the Extremities with Ulceration or Gangrene

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical categories (Aortic and peripheral arterial embolism or thrombosis, Bacterial infections).

I74.09 — Other arterial embolism and thrombosis of abdominal aorta, I74.10 — Embolism and thrombosis of unspecified parts of aorta, I74.11 — Embolism and thrombosis of thoracic aorta, I74.19 — Embolism and thrombosis of other parts of aorta, I74.2 — Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of the upper extremities, I74.3 — Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of the lower extremities, I74.4 — Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of extremities, unspecified, I74.5 — Embolism and thrombosis of iliac artery, I74.8 — Embolism and thrombosis of other arteries, I74.9 — Embolism and thrombosis of unspecified artery, I75.011 — Atheroembolism of right upper extremity, I75.012 — Atheroembolism of left upper extremity, I75.013 — Atheroembolism of bilateral upper extremities, I75.019 — Atheroembolism of unspecified upper extremity, I75.021 — Atheroembolism of right lower extremity, I75.022 — Atheroembolism of left lower extremity, I75.023 — Atheroembolism of bilateral lower extremities, I75.029 — Atheroembolism of unspecified lower extremity, I75.81 — Atheroembolism of kidney, I75.89 — Atheroembolism of other site, +400 more

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main term “Embolism”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

I74.01 — Saddle embolus of abdominal aorta (aorta, aortic, saddle), I74.09 — Other arterial embolism and thrombosis of abdominal aorta (aorta, aortic, abdominal), I74.10 — Embolism and thrombosis of unspecified parts of aorta (aorta, aortic), I74.11 — Embolism and thrombosis of thoracic aorta (aorta, aortic, thoracic), I74.2 — Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of the upper extremities (upper extremity), I74.3 — Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of the lower extremities (popliteal), I74.4 — Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of extremities, unspecified (artery, limb), I74.5 — Embolism and thrombosis of iliac artery (artery, iliac), I74.8 — Embolism and thrombosis of other arteries (spleen, splenic), I74.9 — Embolism and thrombosis of unspecified artery, I78.8 — Other diseases of capillaries (capillary), I81 — Portal vein thrombosis (portal), I82.0 — Budd-Chiari syndrome (hepatic), I82.210 — Acute embolism and thrombosis of superior vena cava (vena cava, superior), I82.211 — Chronic embolism and thrombosis of superior vena cava (vena cava, superior, chronic), I82.220 — Acute embolism and thrombosis of inferior vena cava (vena cava, inferior), I82.221 — Chronic embolism and thrombosis of inferior vena cava (vena cava, inferior, chronic), I82.290 — Acute embolism and thrombosis of other thoracic veins (vein, innominate), I82.291 — Chronic embolism and thrombosis of other thoracic veins (vein, innominate, chronic), I82.3 — Embolism and thrombosis of renal vein (vein, renal), +104 more

Contextual Map

Every relationship of I76 in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Run I76 with these 6 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

• I00-I99 — Chapter 9: Diseases of the Circulatory System (I00-I99) (I00-I99)[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• I70-I79 — Diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026

Excludes2

• I26.01 — Septic pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale[Excludes2]: “septic pulmonary embolism (I26.01, I26.90)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
• I26.90 — Septic pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale[Excludes2]: “septic pulmonary embolism (I26.01, I26.90)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026

Code First

• I33.0 — Acute and subacute infective endocarditis[Code First]: “infective endocarditis (I33.0)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
• J85 — Abscess of lung and mediastinum[Code First]: “lung abscess (J85.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026

Use Additional Code

• I74 — Arterial embolism and thrombosis[Use Additional Code]: “code to identify the site of the embolism (I74.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026

Referenced by Excludes2 notes

• I26 — Pulmonary embolism[Excludes2]: “septic (non-pulmonary) arterial embolism (I76)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
• I74 — Arterial embolism and thrombosis[Excludes2]: “septic embolism and thrombosis (I76)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026

Clinical classification (CCSR)

• CIR030 — Aortic and peripheral arterial embolism or thrombosis[CCSR]— AHRQ CCSR for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses (HCUP)
• INF003 — Bacterial infections[CCSR]— AHRQ CCSR for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses (HCUP)

Risk adjustment (CMS-HCC)

• HCC 264 — Vascular Disease with Complications [CMS-HCC]— CMS-HCC V28 · 2026

MS-DRG Grouper

• CC — Complication or Comorbidity [MS-DRG severity]: “As a secondary diagnosis this code can raise the stay's MS-DRG severity tier (CC).”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix C) · FY2026
• DRG 299 — PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISORDERS WITH MCC[MS-DRG]: “PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISORDERS WITH MCC (MDC 05)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026
• DRG 300 — PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISORDERS WITH CC[MS-DRG]: “PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISORDERS WITH CC (MDC 05)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026
• DRG 301 — PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISORDERS WITHOUT CC/MCC[MS-DRG]: “PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISORDERS WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 05)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026
• DRG 791 — PREMATURITY WITH MAJOR PROBLEMS[MS-DRG]: “PREMATURITY WITH MAJOR PROBLEMS (MDC 15)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026
• DRG 793 — FULL TERM NEONATE WITH MAJOR PROBLEMS[MS-DRG]: “FULL TERM NEONATE WITH MAJOR PROBLEMS (MDC 15)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026

MDC crossing

• MDC 05 — Diseases and Disorders of the Circulatory System[MDC crossing]: “Diseases and Disorders of the Circulatory System — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs. 17,209 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2026
• MDC 15 — Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in Perinatal Period[MDC crossing]: “Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in Perinatal Period — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2026

Index entries

• Embolism (multiple) (paradoxical), artery, septic[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
• Embolism (multiple) (paradoxical), pyemic (multiple)[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
• Embolism (multiple) (paradoxical), septic (arterial)[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026

Change history

• FY2016 — In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption [Change history]— CMS release files (code change ledger) · icd10cm-fy2016

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data

CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2026 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2025 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Claim edits Official source data

CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v43.1 (April 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Inpatient payment groups Official source data

CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (incl. Appendix B diagnosis index, Appendix C CC/MCC list, Appendix E procedure index) and IPPS Final Rule tables — v43 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Risk adjustment Official source data

2026 Mid-Year Final ICD-10 Mappings + Model Software (cms.gov/files/zip/2026-midyear-final-icd-10-mappings.zip, 2026-midyear-final-model-software.zip) — CMS-HCC V28, PY2026 mid-year final release Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data

CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder structured relationship

Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears

Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder explanation

Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder structured relationship · MedCoder explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates