The ICD-10-CM code for deep vein thrombosis not otherwise specified (DVT NOS) of the leg is in subcategory I82.40-: I82.401 (right), I82.402 (left), I82.403 (bilateral) and I82.409 (unspecified side). I82.40 itself is a non-billable header; only the six-character codes are billable. When the chart names the vein, use the more specific code, such as I82.432 for an acute left popliteal DVT, and use I82.5- instead of I82.4- when the DVT is chronic.
Quick DVT Code Finder
| Chart says | ICD-10-CM code | Billable? |
|---|---|---|
| Acute DVT leg, NOS / “DVT” with side unknown | I82.409 | Yes |
| Acute DVT right leg, vein not named | I82.401 | Yes |
| Acute DVT left leg, vein not named | I82.402 | Yes |
| Acute DVT both legs, vein not named | I82.403 | Yes |
| Chronic DVT leg, vein and side not named | I82.509 | Yes |
| Acute DVT arm, deep veins (brachial, radial, ulnar), side unknown | I82.629 | Yes |
| History of DVT, treatment complete | Z86.718 | Yes |
| I82.4, I82.40, I82.5, I82.50, I82.62 | Headers | No |
Code-set note: the codes here follow the FY2026 ICD-10-CM code set (effective October 1, 2025). A new code set takes effect every October 1, so check the current tabular list for changes before submitting claims.
Acute Lower-Extremity DVT Codes (I82.4-)
Category I82.4- covers acute embolism and thrombosis of the deep veins of the leg. Each vein has its own five-character subcategory, and the sixth character sets laterality: 1 = right, 2 = left, 3 = bilateral, 9 = unspecified. All six-character codes are billable.
| Vein | Right | Left | Bilateral | Unspecified side |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unspecified deep veins (DVT NOS) | I82.401 | I82.402 | I82.403 | I82.409 |
| Femoral | I82.411 | I82.412 | I82.413 | I82.419 |
| Iliac | I82.421 | I82.422 | I82.423 | I82.429 |
| Popliteal | I82.431 | I82.432 | I82.433 | I82.439 |
| Tibial | I82.441 | I82.442 | I82.443 | I82.449 |
| Peroneal | I82.451 | I82.452 | I82.453 | I82.459 |
| Calf muscular (soleal, gastrocnemial) | I82.461 | I82.462 | I82.463 | I82.469 |
| Other specified deep vein | I82.491 | I82.492 | I82.493 | I82.499 |
| Proximal leg, vein not named (thigh, “above knee”) | I82.4Y1 | I82.4Y2 | I82.4Y3 | I82.4Y9 |
| Distal leg, vein not named (calf, “below knee”) | I82.4Z1 | I82.4Z2 | I82.4Z3 | I82.4Z9 |
Avoid I82.409 when the ultrasound report names the side. Payers query unspecified codes when the documentation is more specific.
Chronic Lower-Extremity DVT Codes (I82.5-)
Chronic DVT follows the same structure under I82.5-. ICD-10-CM doesn’t set a day cutoff for “chronic”; code it only when the provider documents the DVT as chronic, for example an old, organized clot on long-term anticoagulation. A new clot in a different vein is still coded as acute.
| Vein | Right | Left | Bilateral | Unspecified side |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unspecified deep veins | I82.501 | I82.502 | I82.503 | I82.509 |
| Femoral | I82.511 | I82.512 | I82.513 | I82.519 |
| Iliac | I82.521 | I82.522 | I82.523 | I82.529 |
| Popliteal | I82.531 | I82.532 | I82.533 | I82.539 |
| Tibial | I82.541 | I82.542 | I82.543 | I82.549 |
| Peroneal | I82.551 | I82.552 | I82.553 | I82.559 |
| Calf muscular | I82.561 | I82.562 | I82.563 | I82.569 |
| Other specified deep vein | I82.591 | I82.592 | I82.593 | I82.599 |
Upper-Extremity DVT Codes
Upper-extremity DVT, often linked to central lines, pacemaker leads or thoracic outlet compression, has its own codes. The deep veins of the arm under I82.62- are the brachial, radial and ulnar veins. The axillary, subclavian and internal jugular veins have separate subcategories.
| Site (acute) | Right | Left | Bilateral | Unspecified side |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep veins of upper extremity (brachial, radial, ulnar) | I82.621 | I82.622 | I82.623 | I82.629 |
| Axillary vein | I82.A11 | I82.A12 | I82.A13 | I82.A19 |
| Subclavian vein | I82.B11 | I82.B12 | I82.B13 | I82.B19 |
| Internal jugular vein | I82.C11 | I82.C12 | I82.C13 | I82.C19 |
Chronic equivalents are I82.72- for the deep arm veins and I82.A2-, I82.B2- and I82.C2- for the axillary, subclavian and internal jugular veins. Note that I82.61- and I82.71- are superficial arm veins, not DVT.
Includes, Excludes and Code-First Notes for I82
Category I82 has instructional notes that send some venous clots elsewhere. An Excludes1 note means “never code together”; an Excludes2 note means “not part of this code, but both may be reported if both are present”.
| Condition | Where it goes instead | Note type |
|---|---|---|
| Venous thrombosis complicating pregnancy or the puerperium | O22.-, O87.- | Excludes1 |
| Thrombosis complicating abortion, ectopic or molar pregnancy | O00–O07, O08.7 | Excludes1 |
| Cerebral venous thrombosis, nonpyogenic | I67.6 (with infarction: I63.6) | Excludes2 |
| Pulmonary embolism | I26.- | Excludes2 |
| Portal vein thrombosis | I81 | Excludes2 |
| Mesenteric venous thrombosis | K55.0- | Excludes2 |
| Superficial thrombophlebitis of the leg | I80.0- | Separate category |
For DVT on long-term anticoagulant therapy, the tabular list instructs you to add Z79.01 (long-term current use of anticoagulants). Confirm the exact wording of these notes in the current year’s tabular list.
Documentation a Coder Needs from the Chart
- Acuity: acute, chronic, or history of. If it isn’t stated, query the provider rather than guessing.
- Vein: femoral, iliac, popliteal, tibial, peroneal, calf muscular, or proximal vs distal. The duplex ultrasound report is usually the most specific source.
- Laterality: right, left or bilateral.
- Context: pregnancy or postpartum, recent surgery, catheter, cancer, or known thrombophilia.
- Complications and treatment: pulmonary embolism, post-thrombotic syndrome, long-term anticoagulation.
Codes Commonly Paired with DVT
- I26.99 other pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale; I26.09 with acute cor pulmonale
- I87.0- post-thrombotic syndrome
- Z79.01 long-term (current) use of anticoagulants
- Z86.718 personal history of other venous thrombosis and embolism
- D68.51 activated protein C resistance (factor V Leiden); D68.59 other primary thrombophilia; D68.61 antiphospholipid syndrome; D68.69 other thrombophilia. See our guide to hypercoagulability.
When DVT and PE are both present, code both. Sequence first whichever condition is chiefly responsible for the encounter.
DVT in pregnancy and after delivery
Pregnancy-related DVT goes to the obstetric chapter first: O22.31, O22.32, O22.33 (first, second, third trimester) or O22.30 (unspecified trimester), and O87.1 for DVT in the puerperium. The current tabular list directs an additional I82 code to identify the vein and side.
Common Coding Mistakes
- Using “unspecified” when the chart is specific. The ultrasound report usually names the vein and side.
- Mixing up acute and chronic. Code chronic only when the provider says so.
- Coding superficial clots as DVT. Superficial thrombophlebitis is I80.0-; superficial vein thrombosis of the leg is I82.81-. Compare the two conditions in superficial vs deep vein thrombosis.
- Forgetting Z79.01 for long-term anticoagulation.
- Keeping active DVT codes after resolution. Switch to Z86.718 once treatment is complete.
Clinical Refresher for Coders
DVT forms through Virchow’s triad: vessel wall injury, slow blood flow and a hypercoagulable state. Risk factors include recent surgery (especially hip and knee), immobility, active cancer, pregnancy, estrogen therapy, obesity and inherited thrombophilias. Diagnosis uses a clinical probability score (the Wells score), a D-dimer test to rule out DVT in low-probability patients, and compression duplex ultrasound. Treatment is anticoagulation, most often with a direct oral anticoagulant, for at least three months; unprovoked or recurrent clots may need longer treatment. Our hematology overview and blood clotting guide cover the clinical side in more depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is I82.40 a billable code?
No. I82.40 is a header for acute DVT of unspecified deep veins of the leg. Report one of its billable children: I82.401, I82.402, I82.403 or I82.409.
What is the ICD-10 code for bilateral DVT?
Use the sixth character 3. Acute bilateral DVT with the vein not named is I82.403; bilateral femoral is I82.413, bilateral popliteal I82.433, and the chronic version is I82.503.
What is the ICD-10 code for upper-extremity DVT, side unspecified?
Acute DVT of the deep veins of the arm, side unspecified, is I82.629. If the vein involved is not stated at all, I82.609 (unspecified veins of upper extremity) applies.
Which upper-extremity deep veins can DVT affect?
The brachial, radial and ulnar veins fall under I82.62-. The axillary, subclavian and internal jugular veins have their own codes (I82.A-, I82.B-, I82.C-).
Does ICD-10 separate provoked and unprovoked DVT?
No. Both use the same I82 codes. The distinction lives in the documentation and affects treatment length, not the code.
Key Takeaways
- DVT NOS of the leg is I82.40-; I82.409 is the billable unspecified-side code, and I82.40 itself is not billable.
- Code the vein, laterality and acuity: I82.4- acute, I82.5- chronic, I82.62-/I82.72- deep arm veins.
- Pregnancy-related DVT starts with O22.3- or O87.1; resolved DVT becomes Z86.718.
- Check the Excludes notes and add Z79.01 for long-term anticoagulation.
