Cerebral palsy and other paralytic syndromes
ICD-10 Codes (59)
G81G81.0G81.00G81.01G81.02G81.03G81.04G81.1G81.10G81.11G81.12G81.13G81.14G81.9G81.90G81.91G81.92G81.93G81.94G82G82.2G82.20G82.21G82.22G82.5G82.50G82.51G82.52G82.53G82.54G83G83.0G83.1G83.10G83.11G83.12G83.13G83.14G83.2G83.20G83.21G83.22G83.23G83.24G83.3G83.30G83.31G83.32G83.33G83.34G83.4G83.5G83.8G83.81G83.82G83.83G83.84G83.89G83.9Updates & Changes
FY 2026 Updates
Deleted Codes
No codes deleted in this range for FY 2026
No significant changes for FY 2026
This range maintains stability with current coding practices
Historical Changes
- •FY 2025: Routine maintenance updates with minor terminology clarifications
- •FY 2024: Enhanced specificity requirements for certain code ranges
- •FY 2023: Updated documentation guidelines for improved clarity
Upcoming Changes
- •Proposed updates pending review by Coordination and Maintenance Committee
- •Under consideration: Enhanced digital health integration codes
Implementation Guidance
- •Review all FY 2026 updates for G80-G83 codes before implementation
- •Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
- •Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
- +3 more guidance items...
Range Overview
The ICD-10 code range G80-G83 is dedicated to cerebral palsy and other paralytic syndromes. These codes cover a variety of conditions that result in paralysis, including cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, paraplegia, and quadriplegia. The codes are used to document the specific type of paralysis, the body part affected, and the cause of the condition, if known. These codes are essential for accurate medical documentation and billing, and for tracking and studying these conditions on a population level.
Key Usage Points:
- •Always code the specific type of paralysis when known.
- •Use additional codes to document the cause of the paralysis, if known.
- •When the affected body part is not specified, use the unspecified code.
- •Use the appropriate code for transient paralysis conditions.
- •For congenital paralysis conditions, use the appropriate code from the Q00-Q99 range.
Coding Guidelines
When to Use:
- ✓When a patient is diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
- ✓When a patient has a paralytic syndrome due to a stroke.
- ✓When a patient has a paralytic syndrome due to a spinal cord injury.
- ✓When a patient has a paralytic syndrome due to a brain injury.
- ✓When a patient has a paralytic syndrome due to a disease such as multiple sclerosis.
When NOT to Use:
- ✗When a patient has temporary weakness but not true paralysis.
- ✗When a patient has a condition that causes muscle weakness, such as muscular dystrophy, but not paralysis.
- ✗When a patient has a condition that affects the nerves, such as neuropathy, but not the muscles.
- ✗When a patient has a condition that affects the muscles, such as myopathy, but not the nerves.
Code Exclusions
Always verify the patient's specific condition and symptoms before coding.
Documentation Requirements
When documenting a diagnosis of cerebral palsy or another paralytic syndrome, it is essential to include the specific type of paralysis, the body part affected, and the cause of the condition, if known. The documentation should also include the patient's symptoms, the results of any diagnostic tests, and the treatment plan.
Clinical Information:
- •Specific type of paralysis
- •Body part affected
- •Cause of the condition, if known
- •Patient's symptoms
- •Results of diagnostic tests
Supporting Evidence:
- •Medical history
- •Physical examination findings
- •Imaging studies
- •Laboratory test results
Good Documentation Example:
Patient diagnosed with left-sided hemiplegia due to a stroke. Symptoms include weakness and loss of sensation on the left side of the body. CT scan shows a right-sided cerebral infarct.
Poor Documentation Example:
Patient has weakness on the left side.
Common Documentation Errors:
- ⚠Not specifying the type of paralysis
- ⚠Not specifying the body part affected
- ⚠Not documenting the cause of the condition
- ⚠Not including the patient's symptoms or the results of diagnostic tests
Range Statistics
Coding Complexity
Coding for cerebral palsy and other paralytic syndromes can be complex due to the need to accurately identify the specific type of paralysis, the body part affected, and the cause of the condition. In addition, it is important to understand the difference between muscle weakness and true paralysis, as conditions that cause muscle weakness are coded elsewhere.
Key Factors:
- ▸Determining the specific type of paralysis
- ▸Identifying the body part affected
- ▸Determining the cause of the condition
- ▸Understanding the difference between muscle weakness and true paralysis
Specialty Focus
The G80-G83 range is primarily used by neurologists, physiatrists, and pediatricians. These specialists diagnose and treat patients with cerebral palsy and other paralytic syndromes.
Primary Specialties:
Clinical Scenarios:
- • A child with spastic cerebral palsy due to a birth injury.
- • An adult with left-sided hemiplegia due to a stroke.
- • A patient with paraplegia due to a spinal cord injury.
- • A patient with quadriplegia due to a progressive neurological disease such as multiple sclerosis.
Resources & References
There are many resources available for learning more about coding for cerebral palsy and other paralytic syndromes. These include the official ICD-10 coding guidelines, clinical reference books and articles, and educational materials such as webinars and online courses.
Official Guidelines:
- ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Coding Guidelines
- National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Coding Guidelines
Clinical References:
- Neurology textbooks and articles
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation textbooks and articles
- Pediatrics textbooks and articles
Educational Materials:
- AHIMA webinars and online courses
- American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) webinars and online courses
- Local coding chapter meetings and workshops
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I code for a patient with cerebral palsy who also has epilepsy?
You would use a code from the G80 range for the cerebral palsy and a code from the G40 range for the epilepsy. Always code each condition separately.