G31.9
BillableDegenerative disease of nervous system, unspecified
HCC Category Mapping
RxHCCHCC 112 — Dementia and Other Specified Brain Disorders
0.000What This Code Means
This code is used when a patient has a degenerative disease of the nervous system but the specific type has not been determined or documented.
Coding Tips
- •This is an unspecified code; use only when the specific degenerative disease cannot be identified from documentation
- •Query the provider if additional testing or clinical information could specify the exact degenerative condition
Clinical Significance
Degenerative disease of the nervous system, unspecified, is used when a patient has a confirmed degenerative neurological disease but the specific type has not been determined. This code represents the lowest level of specificity in this category and should prompt a query for more specific diagnostic information. These patients still have progressive neurological conditions requiring ongoing care.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Provider documentation confirming a degenerative disease of the nervous system is present
- ✓Clinical evidence of progressive neurological deterioration
- ✓Documentation that the specific type of degeneration could not be determined
- ✓Neurological examination findings consistent with degenerative disease
- ✓Plan for further diagnostic workup if the condition has not been fully evaluated
Commonly Confused Codes
G31.89 — Other specified degenerative diseases of nervous system; use when a specific condition is identified but has no more precise codeG31.1 — Senile degeneration of brain; more specific when age-related brain degeneration is documentedG31.9 vs. R41.81 — Age-related cognitive decline is normal aging, not a degenerative diseaseG30.9 — Alzheimer's disease, unspecified; should be used instead if Alzheimer's is diagnosed
Code Hierarchy
└G31Other degenerative diseases of nervous system, not elsewhere classified└G31.9Degenerative disease of nervous system, unspecified
└G31.9Degenerative disease of nervous system, unspecified