R29.729 ICD-10-CM Code: NIHSS score 29
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FY 2026 Apr update / Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99) / Symptoms and signs involving the nervous and musculoskeletal systems (R25-R29)
R29.729
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceNIHSS score 29
A score of 29 on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), indicating very severe acute stroke with extensive neurological impairment.
CMS-HCC V28
00
RAF 0
CMS-HCC V24
00
RAF 0
ACA/HHS
00
RAF 0
ESRD/PACE
00
RAF 0
RXHCC
00
RAF 0
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Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list inclusion terms for R29.729 in this effective period.
Excludes 2
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 2 notes for R29.729 in this effective period.
Related Child Codes
Includes
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for R29.729 in this effective period.
Excludes 1
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 1 notes for R29.729 in this effective period.
Code First
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Code First sequencing instructions for R29.729 in this effective period.
Use Additional
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for R29.729 in this effective period.
Code Also
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for R29.729 in this effective period.
Buddy Documentation Tip
Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr update, Apr 1, 2026 through Sep 30, 2026. CMS-HCC V28 is 100% phased in for payment year 2026.
Is R29.729 an HCC code?
No. R29.729 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to any HCC category in V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC.
Coder workflow notes
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This code does not map to an HCC category in any model (V28, V24, ESRD, RxHCC).
What This Code Means
R29.729 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for nihss score 29. A score of 29 on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), indicating very severe acute stroke with extensive neurological impairment. R29.729 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (r00-r99), within the section covering symptoms and signs involving the nervous and musculoskeletal systems (r25-r29).
R29.729 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to a payment HCC under the CMS-HCC V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC risk adjustment models. It can be reported on Medicare Advantage encounter data submissions but it does not contribute to a beneficiary's RAF score and therefore does not affect risk-adjusted payments to the plan.
Scores this high suggest critical stroke severity and should prompt immediate documentation of all clinical findings.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for R29.729 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Scores this high suggest critical stroke severity and should prompt immediate documentation of all clinical findings
- •Coordinate coding with intensive care unit admission and stroke protocol documentation