ICD 10 Coding Alert

Anatomical site, laterality, infarctions guide you to correct code.When ICD-10 hits, you will have to get more specific to report cerebral embolism diagnosis codes. In particular, you'll need to ensure your clinician clearly documents which territory in the central circulation was affected by the embolism. Here's more on what's in store for embolism dx coding.Look For Embolism Site When There Is No InfarctionIn ICD-9, there is only one code that you can report for cerebral embolism without cerebral infarction. You report 434.10 (Cerebral embolism without cerebral infarction) for embolism in all territories of cerebral blood supply.In ICD-10, your coding options expand to a choice of four codes: I66.09 (Occlusion and stenosis of unspecified middle cerebral artery), I66.19 (Occlusion and stenosis of unspecified anterior cerebral artery), I66.29 (Occlusion and stenosis of unspecified posterior cerebral artery), and I66.9 (Occlusion and stenosis of unspecified cerebral artery) depending upon the specific anatomical location of [...]