I69.132

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

This code describes weakness or paralysis of one arm on the left side of the body that resulted from bleeding in the brain (not caused by injury). The left side is the person's dominant side, meaning they are left-handed.

Coding Tips

• •Verify documentation specifies nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage as the cause and confirm the monoplegia affects the upper limb (arm) only, not the leg
• •Ensure the dominant side is clearly documented in the medical record; if dominance is not specified, query the provider before coding, as this affects code selection (I69.131 vs I69.132)

Clinical Significance

This code captures monoplegia of the upper limb (left dominant side) as a late effect (sequela) of a prior nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Intracerebral hemorrhage often causes more severe and persistent neurological deficits than ischemic stroke due to direct brain tissue destruction. Capturing these sequelae accurately reflects the patient's ongoing functional limitations and care needs for risk adjustment purposes.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Clear documentation of monoplegia as a current, active condition (not just in the patient's history)
• ✓Documentation explicitly linking the paralytic deficit to a prior nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage
• ✓Specification of affected side and dominance (right dominant, left dominant, right non-dominant, left non-dominant)
• ✓Current functional assessment documenting the severity and impact on activities of daily living
• ✓Ongoing treatment plan including rehabilitation services, medications, and assistive devices
• ✓Documentation that the original stroke was an intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding within the brain tissue) — not subarachnoid hemorrhage or cerebral infarction

Commonly Confused Codes