Coding Tip: Encephalopathy

Encephalopathy is a diagnosis that coders see a lot these days. It is a general term and means brain disease, brain damage or malfunction. The primary symptom that is seen in the healthcare record is altered mental status. There are many different types and causes of encephalopathy and at times it is difficult to know if it should be coded and if so what code should be reported.

The most common types we see are toxic encephalopathy, metabolic encephalopathy, anoxic encephalopathy, hepatic encephalopathy, hypertensive encephalopathy, acute encephalopathy and just documentation of encephalopathy. This is only a short list of entries under encephalopathy in the ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index.

Toxic Encephalopathy

Indexed in ICD-10-CM to G92 is caused by exposure to neurotoxic substance, poisoning or OD and can be caused by everyday products that we use. Treatment is geared towards the cause or the symptoms. This type of encephalopathy is most often irreversible.

Metabolic Encephalopathy

Indexed in ICD-10-CM to G93.41 (there are also entries for drug induced and toxic) is caused by lack of glucose, metabolic agent or electrolyte imbalance. An electrolyte imbalance can be cause by a large number of conditions including, dehydration, trauma, renal failure, and infection. Treatment is geared towards the cause or the symptoms and is most often reversible once the metabolic issue is corrected.

Anoxic Encephalopathy

Indexed in ICD-10-CM to G93.1 is caused by brain damage due to lack of oxygen and also referred to as hypoxic encephalopathy. This type is oftentimes permanent and irreversible depending on how long the brain cells lack oxygen. This can be caused by cardiac arrest, seizures or just when lack of breathing adequately exists such as in patients with lung disease. This can also occur in the fetus if the blood supply from the placenta is compromised.

Hepatic Encephalopathy

Indexed in ICD-10-CM to K72.90 (unless specified with coma) is caused by liver failure/disease. When the liver is diseased or in failure it is not able to remove toxin from the blood and they accumulate in the brain. The diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy does not mean “coma” is always present. In order for a coder to report that this is with coma, the MD would need to document as such. This is a possibly reversible condition with the appropriate treatment and compliance with the treatment. This is commonly seen in patients with cirrhosis, acute liver failure, chronic liver disease, and hepatitis as well as other diseases.

Hypertensive Encephalopathy

Indexed in ICD-10-CM to I67.4 is caused by extreme high blood pressure levels. Most often the effects are reversible. Treatment is geared towards decreasing blood pressure.

Acute and/or unspecified Encephalopathy

Indexed in ICD-10-CM to G93.40 is caused by either a direct injury to the brain or an illness. Most times, the cause is known but not documented by the physician for coders and no further specific code can be assigned.

Remember that encephalopathy due to postictal state is not coded separately as it is integral to the seizure (see AHA CC 4Q2013 Page: 89-90)

For specific reporting questions, please see AHA Coding Clinic as there are multiple questions and answers addressing this diagnosis.

References:
AHA Coding Clinic, Second Quarter 2017 Page: 8-9
AHA Coding Clinic, Third Quarter 2016 Page: 42
AHA Coding Clinic, Second Quarter 2016 Page: 35
AHA Coding Clinic, Fourth Quarter 2013 Page: 89-90
AHA Coding Clinic, Fourth Quarter 2009 Page: 99-101
http://www.medicinenet.com/encephalopathy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic_encephalopathy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertensive_encephalopathy
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0022965/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatic_encephalopathy#Treatment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encephalopathy

Happy Coding!

The information contained in this coding advice is valid at the time of posting. Viewers are encouraged to research subsequent official guidance in the areas associated with the topic as they can change rapidly.