Rheumatoid vasculitis with rheumatoid arthritis of left hip

This code signifies a severe systemic complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) where inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) is present, specifically affecting the left hip joint. It indicates active rheumatoid vasculitis occurring in a patient with a confirmed diagnosis of RA, with clinical manifestations localized to the left hip.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states rheumatoid vasculitis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, and the left hip is identified as an affected site. This typically occurs in patients with long-standing, severe RA who develop extra-articular manifestations. Supporting documentation includes physician notes detailing the diagnosis of rheumatoid vasculitis, its association with RA, and specific involvement of the left hip.

• Always ensure documentation explicitly links the vasculitis to rheumatoid arthritis and specifies the left hip involvement.
• Do not use this code for vasculitis not directly attributed to rheumatoid arthritis, or for rheumatoid arthritis without documented vasculitis.
• Sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when the rheumatoid vasculitis is the focus of the encounter, followed by codes for other manifestations or complications of RA.