P91.60

Billable

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [HIE], unspecified

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 202 — Coma, Brain Compression/Anoxic Damage

0.000

What This Code Means

A newborn's brain injury caused by lack of oxygen and blood flow, with severity level not specified. This condition can occur during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.

Coding Tips

•Use this code only when the severity of HIE is not documented; if severity is specified, use the more specific codes P91.61-P91.63
•This is a perinatal condition code (P codes) applicable only to newborns during the first 28 days of life

Clinical Significance

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) unspecified represents brain injury from oxygen and blood flow deprivation during the perinatal period. This diagnosis indicates significant risk for cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and lifelong neurological disabilities requiring specialized care and early intervention services.

Documentation Requirements

✓Clear documentation of HIE diagnosis without severity specification
✓Evidence of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic event
✓Clinical signs of encephalopathy (altered consciousness, seizures, tone changes)
✓Neuroimaging findings consistent with HIE
✓Birth history including risk factors for hypoxia
✓Apgar scores and resuscitation details
✓EEG findings if seizures present
✓Response to therapeutic cooling if implemented

Commonly Confused Codes

P91.61 — Mild HIE, when severity can be specified P91.0 — Neonatal cerebral ischemia, broader ischemic injury category P20.9 — Intrauterine hypoxia, occurs before delivery G93.1 — Anoxic brain damage, not neonatal-specific

Code Hierarchy

└P91Other disturbances of cerebral status of newborn └P91.6Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [HIE]└P91.60Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [HIE], unspecified

└P91.60Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [HIE], unspecified