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ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAndrogenic Alopecia

Androgenic Alopecia

ICD-10 Coding for Androgenic Alopecia(L64.9, L64.0, L64.8)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYDermatology
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Androgenic Alopecia?
Essential facts and insights about Androgenic Alopecia

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Presence of progressive hair thinning and loss, typically starting at the temples or crown of the head.
  • Family history of androgenic alopecia in first-degree relatives.
  • Physical examination revealing miniaturization of hair follicles and increased hair shedding.
  • No significant findings on scalp biopsy, which may be performed to rule out other causes of hair loss.
  • Severity can be assessed using the Hamilton-Norwood scale for men and the Ludwig scale for women.

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Complete medical history including onset, duration, and pattern of hair loss.
  • Use of specific terms such as 'androgenic alopecia' or 'male/female pattern hair loss' in documentation.
  • Examples include noting the extent of hair loss and any associated symptoms like itching or scalp irritation.
  • Documentation must support medical necessity for treatments such as topical minoxidil or oral finasteride.
  • Quality measures may include tracking patient-reported outcomes related to hair loss and treatment satisfaction.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use L64.9 for unspecified androgenic alopecia when the type is not specified; use L64.0 for male pattern baldness and L64.8 for other specified types.
  • Do not use these codes for hair loss due to other conditions such as alopecia areata or telogen effluvium.
  • L64.0 and L64.8 are specific to gender and pattern, while L64.9 is a general code.
  • Common errors include using the unspecified code when a specific type is documented; ensure to match the code with the clinical findings.
  • In complex cases, consider the patient's history and family background to select the most appropriate code.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excludes alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and other non-androgenic causes of hair loss.
  • Alternative codes for excluded conditions include L63 for alopecia areata.
  • Conditions are excluded due to differing pathophysiology and treatment approaches.
  • Common mistakes include misclassifying alopecia areata as androgenic alopecia; ensure accurate diagnosis.
  • Related but distinct conditions include traction alopecia and scarring alopecia.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
L64.9
Androgenic alopecia, unspecified
L64.0
Androgenic alopecia, male pattern
L64.8
Androgenic alopecia, other specified
Ancillary Codes
T38.4x5A
Differential Codes
L65.0

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Dermatology

Specialty Applications

  • Primarily applies to patients experiencing male or female pattern hair loss.
  • Commonly affects adults, with risk factors including age, family history, and hormonal changes.
  • Clinical settings include outpatient dermatology clinics and primary care offices.
  • Specialty-specific applications are relevant in dermatology and endocrinology.
  • Treatment contexts include both cosmetic and medical management of hair loss.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template: 'Patient diagnosed with androgenic alopecia based on clinical findings of progressive hair loss.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with male pattern hair loss including thinning at the crown.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria for androgenic alopecia met as evidenced by family history and physical examination findings.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for androgenic alopecia with topical minoxidil and follow-up in 3 months.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for androgenic alopecia including monitoring hair density and patient satisfaction.'

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this diagnosis?

Document the pattern of hair loss, family history, and any treatments attempted.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Androgenic alopecia is characterized by a specific pattern of hair loss linked to genetics and hormones, unlike alopecia areata.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that the diagnosis supports the medical necessity for treatments and that documentation aligns with coding.

What procedures are typically associated?

CPT codes for related treatments include 11981 for hair transplant and 11900 for injection of medications.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include tracking patient outcomes and satisfaction with treatment for androgenic alopecia.