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ICD-10 Coding for Cerebrovascular Atherosclerosis(I67.2, I63.511)

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

Also known as:

Cerebral AtherosclerosisCerebrovascular Disease due to Atherosclerosis

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Cerebrovascular Atherosclerosis

I67.2Primary Range

Cerebral atherosclerosis

Used for cerebral atherosclerosis without acute infarction.

Cerebral infarction

Used when cerebral atherosclerosis leads to an infarction.

Occlusion and stenosis of precerebral arteries, not resulting in cerebral infarction

Used for stenosis or occlusion without resulting infarction.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
I67.2Cerebral atherosclerosisUse when cerebral atherosclerosis is present without acute infarction.
  • MRA showing <50% stenosis
  • Carotid ultrasound with intima-media thickness ≥1.5mm without flow-limiting stenosis
I63.511Cerebral infarction due to embolism of right middle cerebral arteryUse when an embolic infarction of the right MCA is confirmed.
  • MRI DWI showing acute infarction
  • MRA/CTA confirming corresponding artery stenosis ≥50%

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 cerebrovascular atherosclerosis

Essential facts and insights about Cerebrovascular Atherosclerosis

The ICD-10 code for cerebrovascular atherosclerosis is I67.2, used when there is no acute infarction.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for cerebrovascular atherosclerosis

Cerebral atherosclerosis
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of cerebral atherosclerosis without infarction

coding Criteria

  • Excludes1 note prohibits use with I63.- codes

Applicable To

  • Asymptomatic cerebral atherosclerosis

Excludes

  • Cerebral infarction (I63.-)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • MRA showing <50% stenosis
  • Carotid ultrasound with intima-media thickness ≥1.5mm without flow-limiting stenosis

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly used with infarction codes due to Excludes1 note.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies no acute infarction when using I67.2.

Ancillary Codes

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

Occlusion and stenosis of precerebral arteries

I65.-
Use when stenosis or occlusion is present without resulting infarction.

Differential Codes

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

Cerebral infarction

I63.-
Use I63.- when there is an acute infarction due to atherosclerosis.

Cerebral infarction due to embolism of left middle cerebral artery

I63.231
Differentiate based on laterality of the affected artery.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Cerebrovascular Atherosclerosis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code I67.2.

Impact

Clinical: Inaccurate clinical picture of the stroke., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims or incorrect reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Specify artery involvement in documentation., Use precise medical terminology.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect DRG assignment can affect reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with Excludes1 note., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Query provider to specify the artery involved.

Impact

High audit risk if artery involvement is not documented.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure detailed documentation of the specific artery involved in the stroke.

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 Cerebrovascular Atherosclerosis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Cerebrovascular Atherosclerosis

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

Acute Stroke with Atherosclerosis

Specialty: Neurology

Required Elements

  • Symptom onset time
  • NIHSS score
  • Vascular territory
  • Imaging correlation
  • Etiologic workup

Example Documentation

CEREBROVASCULAR ASSESSMENT: - Symptom onset: [Exact time] - NIHSS score: [Number] with deficits in [specific domains] - Vascular territory: [Named artery - e.g., 'left M1 segment'] - Imaging correlation: [Modality] dated [date] shows [% stenosis] at [location] - Etiologic workup: • LDL: [Value] mg/dL • HbA1c: [Value]% • Cardiac monitoring: [Absent/present] arrhythmias - Stroke mechanism: ⬜ Large artery atherosclerosis (I63.3-) ⬜ Cardioembolic (I63.4-) ⬜ Other determined cause

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Stroke likely from artery blockage
Good Documentation Example
72yo M with 80% symptomatic stenosis of left intracranial vertebral artery confirmed by CTA: - NIHSS 8 (dysarthria + right facial droop) - MRI shows acute left pontine infarction in vascular territory of stenotic vessel - No prior stroke history
Explanation
The good example provides specific artery involvement and imaging confirmation, which are necessary for accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Cerebrovascular Atherosclerosis? Ask your questions below.

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