M31.6
BillableOther giant cell arteritis
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 94 — Reactive and Specified Arthropathies
0.000V24HCC 40 — Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Connective Tissue Disease
0.307ESRDHCC 40 — Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Connective Tissue Disease
0.000RxHCCHCC 84 — Vasculitis and Other Autoimmune Disorders
0.000What This Code Means
Inflammation of large arteries in the body, typically affecting the aorta and its major branches, causing pain and reduced blood flow.
Coding Tips
- •Specify the affected arteries when documented (temporal, aorta, carotid, etc.)
- •Use this code when giant cell arteritis occurs without polymyalgia rheumatica
Clinical Significance
Other giant cell arteritis includes forms of large vessel inflammation that don't meet criteria for temporal arteritis with polymyalgia rheumatica. These conditions still require aggressive treatment to prevent organ damage and vascular complications.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Clinical evidence of giant cell arteritis
- ✓Documentation of vessels involved other than temporal arteries
- ✓Absence of polymyalgia rheumatica criteria
- ✓Biopsy evidence of giant cell inflammation if available
- ✓Assessment of organ involvement
- ✓Treatment response monitoring
- ✓Cardiovascular risk assessment
- ✓Long-term monitoring plan
Commonly Confused Codes
Code Hierarchy
└M31Other necrotizing vasculopathies└M31.6Other giant cell arteritis
└M31.6Other giant cell arteritis