Full Answer
The only information I find is from the 2019 CDI pocket guide that states, “toxic encephalopathy due to alcohol intoxication should be coded as T51.0x1a with G92, not as alcoholic encephalopathy (G31.2).” Any thoughts on this?
Ref: “ ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting,” Section I.A.10. Therefore, G92 Toxic encephalopathy is the correct code to report for the diagnosis “toxic metabolic encephalopathy” even though the term “metabolic” is not in the description for code G92.
The AHA coding clinic is clear regarding sequencing of toxic encephalopathy if the substance is known. As long as there is consistent documentation of toxic encephalopathy and the substance/s is/are known, G92 should be coded as a secondary diagnosis.
This type of encephalopathy is due to the lifestyle of the chronic alcohol rather than the alcohol itself. In particular it occurs due to poor nutritional habits. The individual will lack sufficient thiamine (Vitamin B1) in their diet. This leads to the development of condition called beriberi where the lack of thiamine causes neuron death.
Whenever “metabolic encephalopathy” is documented, code G93. 41, Metabolic encephalopathy, should be assigned.
ICD-10 | Metabolic encephalopathy (G93. 41)
Degeneration of nervous system due to alcohol. G31. 2 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM G31.
alcoholic encephalopathy ( ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G31.2. Degeneration of nervous system due to alcohol. ... encephalopathy in diseases classified elsewhere ( ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G94. Other disorders of brain in diseases classified elsewhere. ... hypertensive encephalopathy ( ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I67.4.
Metabolic encephalopathy is a problem in the brain. It is caused by a chemical imbalance in the blood. The imbalance is caused by an illness or organs that are not working as well as they should. It is not caused by a head injury. When the imbalance affects the brain, it can lead to personality changes.
Classification of the Major Metabolic Encephalopathies. There are two major types of metabolic encephalopathies, namely those due to lack of glucose, oxygen or metabolic cofactors (which are usually vitamin-derived) and those due to peripheral organ dysfunction (Table 38-1).
Wernicke (or Wernicke's) encephalopathy is a type of brain injury that mostly happens to people who drink a lot of alcohol. It is a medical emergency. If not treated quickly, it can lead to permanent brain damage. Wernicke encephalopathy can lead to a condition called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
ICD-10-CM Code for Encephalopathy, unspecified G93. 40.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) has described encephalopathy as a term for “any diffuse disease of the brain that alters brain function or structure” and says the “hallmark of encephalopathy is an altered mental status.” It then proceeds to list a hodge-podge of acute and chronic ...
The admission is five days long and the final diagnosis is encephalopathy due to polypharmacy with a metabolic component due to UTI. If toxic encephalopathy (encephalopathy due to drug) is sequenced as the principal diagnosis, metabolic encephalopathy as a secondary diagnosis will act as an MCC.
Prolonged liver dysfunction resulting from excessive alcohol consumption can lead to the development of a serious and potentially fatal brain disorder known as hepatic encephalopathy (HE).
If you look for metabolic encephalopathy, it has the code G93. 41 with the subcategories of drug induced and toxic, both with G92 codes. On the other hand, it can also be looked at as yes, you can code both. Again, from the Official Guidelines, code G93.