E78.5: Hyperlipidemia, unspecified
Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2027
What ICD-10-CM says
Notes at E78, Disorders of lipoprotein metabolism and other lipidemias (they apply to every code under it)
Excludes1 (never coded with E78.5)
- sphingolipidosis (E75.0-E75.3)
What E78.5 covers
E78.5 is for hyperlipidemia when the record does not say which lipids are raised. It is a common code in primary care and cardiology, often seen when a note just says "hyperlipidemia" or "high lipids".
More specific siblings exist for many cases: E78.0- for pure hypercholesterolemia, E78.1 for pure hyperglyceridemia, E78.2 for mixed hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol and triglycerides) and E78.4- for other hyperlipidemia. If the lab pattern is documented, one of these usually fits better.
Billing and coding notes
E78.5 is billable, but it is an unspecified code. When the provider documents high cholesterol alone, use E78.0-. When both cholesterol and triglycerides are documented as raised, use E78.2.
The E78 category has an excludes1 for sphingolipidosis (E75.0-E75.3). Familial forms have their own codes, such as E78.01 for familial hypercholesterolemia and E78.49 for familial combined hyperlipidemia.
Related codes under E78
- E78.0 Pure hypercholesterolemia
- E78.1 Pure hyperglyceridemia
- E78.2 Mixed hyperlipidemia
- E78.3 Hyperchylomicronemia
- E78.4 Other hyperlipidemia
- E78.6 Lipoprotein deficiency
- E78.7 Disorders of bile acid and cholesterol metabolism
- E78.8 Other disorders of lipoprotein metabolism
- E78.9 Disorder of lipoprotein metabolism, unspecified
Questions about E78.5
What is the difference between E78.5 and E78.2?
E78.5 is hyperlipidemia with the type not stated. E78.2 is mixed hyperlipidemia, where cholesterol and triglycerides are both elevated.
Is E78.5 the code for high cholesterol?
Not usually. High cholesterol alone is pure hypercholesterolemia, coded in E78.0-. E78.5 is for hyperlipidemia that is not described further.
ICD-10-CM in CloudMedico
In CloudMedico, a visit's diagnoses come from the current ICD-10-CM list. For US practices, the visit flags a code that isn't billable on its date, and a superbill made from an invoice carries the visit's diagnoses.
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