G82.22
BillableParaplegia, incomplete
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 181 — Paraplegia
0.274V24HCC 71 — Paraplegia
0.550ESRDHCC 71 — Paraplegia
0.000What This Code Means
Partial paralysis of both legs where some muscle function or sensation remains, but the legs are not completely paralyzed.
Coding Tips
- •Incomplete paraplegia indicates some preservation of motor or sensory function below the level of injury
- •Ensure documentation supports 'incomplete' status before assigning this code rather than the unspecified code
Clinical Significance
Incomplete paraplegia indicates partial preservation of motor or sensory function below the level of spinal cord injury, providing better rehabilitation potential than complete paraplegia. These patients may have varying degrees of residual function, from minimal muscle flicker to functional ambulation with assistive devices. The distinction between complete and incomplete paraplegia is critical for rehabilitation planning and resource allocation.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation explicitly stating paraplegia is 'incomplete'
- ✓Description of preserved motor or sensory function below injury level
- ✓Spinal cord level of injury when documented
- ✓Underlying etiology
- ✓Functional assessment including ambulatory status and assistive device needs
- ✓Rehabilitation goals and progress notes
- ✓Bladder/bowel function status
- ✓Active treatment and management plan
Commonly Confused Codes
G82.21 Paraplegia, complete — no function preserved; incomplete means some function remainsG82.20 Paraplegia, unspecified — use when completeness status is not documentedG82.52 Quadriplegia, C1-C4 incomplete — involves upper extremities as wellM62.81 Muscle weakness (generalized) — weakness alone does not equate to paraplegia