G71.01
BillableDuchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 197 — Muscular Dystrophy
0.000V24HCC 76 — Muscular Dystrophy
0.358ESRDHCC 76 — Muscular Dystrophy
0.000What This Code Means
A severe inherited muscle disease causing progressive weakness and wasting, with Duchenne type being more severe and Becker type being milder.
Coding Tips
- •Specify whether Duchenne or Becker type when documentation permits; these have different severity and prognosis
- •Document age of onset and progression pattern to support the diagnosis
Clinical Significance
Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy are X-linked recessive dystrophinopathies representing the most common and among the most severe forms of muscular dystrophy. Duchenne type has childhood onset with loss of ambulation by adolescence and life-threatening cardiac and respiratory complications. Accurate coding is critical for capturing the extraordinary care complexity including corticosteroids, cardiac monitoring, respiratory support, and mobility aids.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Genetic testing confirming dystrophin gene mutation or muscle biopsy showing absent/reduced dystrophin
- ✓Specification of Duchenne versus Becker type when possible (Duchenne has absent dystrophin, Becker has reduced)
- ✓Age of onset and progression timeline
- ✓Current functional status: ambulatory versus non-ambulatory, respiratory function
- ✓Cardiac evaluation: echocardiogram results, cardiac involvement
- ✓Current treatment: corticosteroids, cardiac medications, respiratory support
Commonly Confused Codes
G71.031 — Autosomal dominant limb girdle muscular dystrophy has different inheritance and clinical patternG71.00 — Muscular dystrophy, unspecified should not be used when Duchenne or Becker type is confirmedG71.02 — Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy has different distribution (face, shoulders) and inheritanceG71.11 — Myotonic muscular dystrophy involves myotonia, not present in Duchenne/Becker
Code Hierarchy
└G71Primary disorders of muscles└G71.0Muscular dystrophy└G71.01Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy
└G71.01Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy