Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for Brain Hemorrhage(I60.9, I61.1)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Brain Hemorrhage. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Cerebral HemorrhageIntracerebral HemorrhageIntracranial Hemorrhage

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Brain Hemorrhage

I60-I62Primary Range

Nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage

This range covers all nontraumatic hemorrhages within the cranial cavity, including subarachnoid, intracerebral, and other intracranial hemorrhages.

Cerebral infarction

Used to differentiate ischemic strokes from hemorrhagic strokes.

Intracranial injury

Used for traumatic brain injuries, differentiating from nontraumatic hemorrhages.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
I60.9Nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, unspecifiedUse when subarachnoid hemorrhage is confirmed but the specific artery is not identified.
  • CT or MRI confirmation of subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Clinical presentation of sudden severe headache
I61.1Cortical intracerebral hemorrhageUse when imaging confirms hemorrhage in cortical areas.
  • CT or MRI showing hemorrhage in cortical regions
  • Clinical symptoms such as focal neurological deficits

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for brain hemorrhage

Essential facts and insights about Brain Hemorrhage

The ICD-10 code for nontraumatic brain hemorrhage is I61.1 for cortical hemorrhage, with other codes in the I60-I62 range.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for brain hemorrhage

Nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, unspecified
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Sudden onset of severe headache with imaging confirmation

Applicable To

  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage NOS

Excludes

  • Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (S06.6-)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • CT or MRI confirmation of subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Clinical presentation of sudden severe headache

Code-Specific Risks

  • Risk of under-documentation if specific artery is not identified

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies nontraumatic origin.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score

R29.7
Document NIHSS score to assess stroke severity.

Cerebral edema

R29.81
Use when cerebral edema is documented as a complication.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage

S06.6x9A
Use for hemorrhages resulting from trauma.

Cerebral infarction, unspecified

I63.9
Use for ischemic strokes, confirmed by imaging.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Brain Hemorrhage to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code I60.9.

Impact

Clinical: Leads to inadequate treatment planning., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims due to lack of specificity.

Mitigation Strategy

Use precise medical terminology in all documentation., Ensure imaging reports are included in the medical record.

Impact

Reimbursement: Potential underpayment due to unspecified codes., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data affecting patient care.

Mitigation Strategy

Always specify the side of the brain affected in the documentation.

Impact

Risk of audits due to missing details like laterality and size.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement standardized templates for documenting hemorrhage cases.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Brain Hemorrhage, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Brain Hemorrhage

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Brain Hemorrhage. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Specialty: Neurology

Required Elements

  • Patient history of sudden headache
  • Imaging results with hemorrhage details
  • NIHSS score
  • Treatment plan

Example Documentation

Patient presents with sudden severe headache. CT shows 3 cm hemorrhage in the left parietal lobe. NIHSS score is 12. Plan includes BP management and neurosurgery consult.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has a brain bleed.
Good Documentation Example
Patient presents with acute left parietal intracerebral hemorrhage, 3 cm in size, confirmed by CT.
Explanation
The good example provides specific location and size, essential for accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Brain Hemorrhage? Ask your questions below.

Ask about any ICD-10 CM code, or paste a medical note

We build tools for
clinician happiness.

Learn More at Freed.ai
Back to HomeBeta

Built by Freed

Try Freed for free for 7 days.

Learn more