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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR48.3

R48.3

Visual agnosia

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 R48.3 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of visual agnosia.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Visual agnosia is a neurological condition characterized by the inability to recognize or interpret visual stimuli despite having intact vision. Patients with visual agnosia can see objects clearly but cannot identify them, which can lead to significant challenges in daily life. This condition often arises from damage to specific areas of the brain, particularly the occipital and temporal lobes, which are responsible for processing visual information. Symptoms may include difficulty recognizing faces (prosopagnosia), objects, or colors, and patients may describe seeing objects but being unable to name or understand their purpose. Visual agnosia can be associated with other cognitive deficits, such as memory impairment or language difficulties, depending on the extent and location of brain damage. Common causes include traumatic brain injury, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, and infections affecting the brain. Diagnosis typically involves a thorough neurological examination, neuroimaging studies, and neuropsychological assessments to evaluate the extent of visual processing deficits.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of underlying causes leading to visual agnosia
  • Overlap with other neurological conditions
  • Need for comprehensive documentation of symptoms
  • Potential for misdiagnosis with similar conditions

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of symptoms and clinical findings
  • Failure to specify the type of visual agnosia
  • Misuse of the code for other types of agnosia
  • Lack of supporting diagnostic tests in the medical record

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed history of visual symptoms, neurological examination findings, and any relevant imaging results.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with cognitive decline or visual disturbances in a primary care setting.

Billing Considerations

Consider comorbid conditions that may affect cognitive function and visual processing.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute assessment of visual function, neurological status, and any immediate imaging studies performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with sudden onset of visual recognition difficulties following a head injury or stroke.

Billing Considerations

Rapid assessment and documentation are crucial for timely intervention and management.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R48.3 When
  • Follow official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring accurate documentation of the patient's symptoms, clinical findings, and any diagnostic tests performed
  • Specify the type of visual agnosia when applicable

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R48.3 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

96116CPT Code

Neuropsychological testing

Clinical Scenario

Used to assess cognitive function in patients suspected of having visual agnosia.

Documentation Requirements

Detailed report of cognitive assessments and findings.

Specialty Considerations

Neuropsychologists should document specific tests administered and results.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of visual agnosia, improving the ability to capture the nuances of this condition and its underlying causes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of visual agnosia, improving the ability to capture the nuances of this condition and its underlying causes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of visual agnosia, improving the ability to capture the nuances of this condition and its underlying causes.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    American Academy of Neurology

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    American Academy of Neurology

Frequently Asked Questions

What is visual agnosia?

Visual agnosia is a neurological condition where a person can see but cannot recognize or interpret visual stimuli due to brain damage.

How is visual agnosia diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves a neurological examination, neuroimaging studies, and neuropsychological assessments to evaluate visual processing abilities.

What are the common causes of visual agnosia?

Common causes include stroke, traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases, and infections affecting the brain.

Can visual agnosia be treated?

Treatment focuses on rehabilitation strategies to help patients adapt to their condition, as there is no specific cure for visual agnosia.