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Condition guide

Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease HCC Coding Guide

Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease (e.g. I63.9) maps to HCC 249 (Ischemic or Unspecified Stroke) under CMS-HCC V28. Its source-labeled community non-dual aged reference coefficient is 0.239. This is not a member total; full contribution depends on hierarchy, cleanup, interactions, member context, and model year. I69.320, aphasia following cerebral infarction, is non-HCC under V28. It can also map to HCC 253 (Hemiplegia/Hemiparesis) when the documentation supports those manifestations.

Complete HCC coding guide for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease (I63.x) including ICD-10 to HCC mapping, V28 RAF weights, acute vs. sequelae coding, and documentation requirements.By the HCC Buddy Coding Team · Reviewed: September 5, 2026 · Updated for CMS-HCC V28 and FY2026 ICD-10-CM
HCC 253HCC 249RAF: 0.239 to 0.387V28 Model

Quick Facts

HCC Categories

HCC 253, Hemiplegia/Hemiparesis

HCC 249, Ischemic or Unspecified Stroke

RAF Weight Range

0.239 to 0.387

Community, non-dual, aged (V28)

Model

CMS-HCC V28 (PY2026, 100% phase-in)

7 ICD-10 codes map to payment HCCs

What HCC category does Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease map to under V28?

Under CMS-HCC V28, ischemic stroke codes (I63.x) map to HCC 249. When documentation supports lasting hemiplegia or hemiparesis, the sequela codes (I69.35x) map to HCC 253. Distinguish acute stroke from sequelae and history, then apply the complete diagnosis set, hierarchy, cleanup, interactions, and member-segment coefficient table. Do not add category coefficients from the code pair alone.

ICD-10 to HCC Mapping

ICD-10 CodeDescriptionBillableHCC Mapping
I63.9Cerebral infarction, unspecifiedYesHCC 249
I63.50Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of unspecified cerebral arteryYesHCC 249
I63.511Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of right middle cerebral arteryYesHCC 249
I63.512Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of left middle cerebral arteryYesHCC 249
I63.411Cerebral infarction due to embolism of right middle cerebral arteryYesHCC 249
I69.351Hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction affecting right dominant sideYesHCC 253
I69.320Aphasia following cerebral infarctionYesNo HCC (not risk-adjusting under V28)
G45.9Transient cerebral ischemic attack, unspecifiedYesNo HCC (not risk-adjusting under V28)
I69.354Hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction affecting left non-dominant sideYesHCC 253
Z86.73Personal history of transient ischemic attack and cerebral infarction without residual deficitsYesNo HCC (not risk-adjusting under V28)

Displayed numbers are source-labeled community non-dual aged reference coefficients from CMS-HCC V28, not member totals.

Verify Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease against the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Coder workflow notes

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Documentation Tips

Document the type of stroke: ischemic (I63), hemorrhagic (I61-I62), or TIA (G45), each has different HCC implications.

Specify the arterial territory: middle cerebral artery, anterior cerebral artery, posterior cerebral artery, vertebrobasilar.

Document the mechanism: thrombotic, embolic, lacunar, this determines the 4th character of the I63 code.

Specify laterality (right, left) for the affected arterial territory and any resulting deficits.

For post-stroke patients, document specific sequelae at each encounter: hemiplegia, aphasia, dysphagia, cognitive deficits.

Distinguish between acute stroke (I63.x, for the initial event), sequelae (I69.3x, for lasting deficits), and personal history (Z86.73, when fully resolved).

Document NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score when available to support severity documentation.

Common Coding Mistakes

Coding acute stroke (I63.x) at follow-up visits when the patient should be coded with sequelae (I69.3x) or personal history (Z86.73).

Failing to capture specific neurological sequelae (hemiplegia, aphasia, dysphagia) as separate codes alongside the stroke sequelae code.

Not specifying the arterial territory and laterality when imaging or clinical findings clearly indicate the location.

Confusing TIA (G45.x) with completed stroke (I63.x), TIAs do not result in permanent infarction and map differently.

Using history of stroke (Z86.73) when the patient has active, ongoing neurological deficits that should be coded as sequelae.

V24 to V28 Changes

Under V28, ischemic stroke (I63.x) lands in HCC 249 (Ischemic or Unspecified Stroke), distinct from the category numbering used in the older V24 model. The bigger takeaway for coders is how the manifestations split out: lasting deficits do not ride along with the stroke HCC. Post-stroke hemiplegia and hemiparesis sequelae (I69.35x), like standalone hemiplegia (G81.x), map to their own category, HCC 253 (Hemiplegia/Hemiparesis). So a patient with a prior infarction and persistent weakness can support two HCCs: 249 for the stroke when still acute, and 253 for the deficit. That makes coding each documented sequela separately, not just the stroke itself, essential to a complete RAF picture.

Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease coding FAQs

What HCC category does Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease map to under V28?

Under CMS-HCC V28, Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease maps to HCC 253 (Hemiplegia/Hemiparesis), HCC 249 (Ischemic or Unspecified Stroke). The source-labeled community non-dual aged reference coefficient range is 0.239 to 0.387. These coefficients are not member totals; full contribution depends on hierarchy, cleanup, interactions, member context, and model year.

What ICD-10 codes map to HCC for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease?

Key ICD-10-CM codes for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease with CMS-HCC V28 mappings include: I63.9 (Cerebral infarction, unspecified); I63.50 (Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of unspecified cerebral artery); I63.511 (Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of right middle cerebral artery); I63.512 (Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of left middle cerebral artery). HCC Buddy shows the available mapping and documentation guidance, with source-labeled code-level coefficient references on public pages. The RAF Calculator supports CMS-HCC V28 PY2026 with complete member context and shows no score unless every required check passes.

How did V28 change the HCC mapping for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease?

Under V28, ischemic stroke (I63.x) lands in HCC 249 (Ischemic or Unspecified Stroke), distinct from the category numbering used in the older V24 model. The bigger takeaway for coders is how the manifestations split out: lasting deficits do not ride along with the stroke HCC. Post-stroke hemiplegia and hemiparesis sequelae (I69.35x), like standalone hemiplegia (G81.x), map to their own category, HCC 253 (Hemiplegia/Hemiparesis). So a patient with a prior infarction and persistent weakness can support two HCCs: 249 for the stroke when still acute, and 253 for the deficit. That makes coding each documented sequela separately, not just the stroke itself, essential to a complete RAF picture.

What documentation is required to code Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease for HCC?

Document the type of stroke: ischemic (I63), hemorrhagic (I61-I62), or TIA (G45), each has different HCC implications. Specify the arterial territory: middle cerebral artery, anterior cerebral artery, posterior cerebral artery, vertebrobasilar. For Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease, confirm that the documentation supports the diagnosis and meets the applicable coding, encounter, program and payer requirements. MEAT (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) is a review mnemonic, not a universal CMS coding rule. HCC Buddy's condition guides provide documentation checklists for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease.

Related Conditions

Related references

Sources

Displayed numbers are source-labeled community non-dual aged reference coefficients from CMS-HCC V28, not member totals.

Verified current to CMS-HCC V28, payment year 2026 — last reviewed September 5, 2026.

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