ICD-10 Coding for Intracranial Atherosclerosis(I67.2, I63.3__)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Intracranial Atherosclerosis. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Intracranial Atherosclerosis
I67-I69Primary Range
Cerebrovascular diseases
This range includes codes for intracranial atherosclerosis and its complications, such as stroke.
Cerebral infarction
This range includes codes for cerebral infarction due to intracranial atherosclerosis.
Occlusion and stenosis of precerebral and cerebral arteries
This range includes codes for stenosis and occlusion of intracranial arteries.
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| I67.2 | Cerebral atherosclerosis | Use when atherosclerosis is present without infarction or significant stenosis. |
|
| I63.3__ | Cerebral infarction due to intracranial atherosclerosis | Use when there is a documented infarction due to atherosclerosis. |
|
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 intracranial atherosclerosis
Essential facts and insights about Intracranial Atherosclerosis
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for intracranial atherosclerosis
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- No evidence of infarction on imaging
Applicable To
- Atherosclerosis of cerebral arteries without infarction
Excludes
- Cerebral infarction (I63.3__)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Imaging showing atherosclerotic changes without infarction
- Absence of acute neurological symptoms
Code-Specific Risks
- Risk of undercoding if stenosis or infarction is present
Coding Notes
- Ensure no infarction is documented when using this code.
I63.3__ - Cerebral infarction due to intracranial atherosclerosis
Use when there is a documented infarction due to atherosclerosis.
Applicable To
- Infarction due to atherosclerotic stenosis
Excludes
- Cerebral atherosclerosis without infarction (I67.2)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Imaging confirming infarction and atherosclerotic stenosis
- Clinical correlation with neurological deficits
Coding Notes
Ensure proper sequencing with etiology first.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Intracranial 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: Ambiguity in treatment planning, Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards, Financial: Potential claim denials
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure imaging reports specify laterality, Include laterality in clinical notes
Impact
Reimbursement: Incorrect DRG assignment leading to reimbursement issues., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.
Mitigation Strategy
Use I63.3__ alone per Excludes1 note.
Impact
Coding infarction without imaging evidence.
Mitigation Strategy
Require imaging confirmation for all infarction codes.
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 Intracranial Atherosclerosis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Intracranial Atherosclerosis
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Intracranial Atherosclerosis. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Stroke due to intracranial atherosclerosis
Specialty: NeurologyRequired Elements
- Imaging findings
- Neurological symptoms
- Stenosis percentage
- Laterality
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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