Alzheimer's Disease ICD 10 Code

Refresher: What are ICD-10 codes?

ICD-10 is the tenth edition of the International Classification of Diseases that categorizes and classifies medical conditions on the basis of different factors. Ever since its inception, the system has undergone many revisions.

While the concept of classifying diseases began in the 1600s and 1700s, the classifications were of little utility. Owing to the poor statistical data, not much could be achieved before the World Health Organization stepped up in 1948 [1].

The WHO collected international data and thoroughly revised the ICD in the 1980s and 90s. As a result, they were able to prepare a three-volume detailed documentation known as ICD-10. ICD-10 replaced ICD-9 in 1992, and today, countries across the world use this classification.

The classification has a broad range of uses all over the world. It provides critical details about the following:

• The extent of the disease
• The causes of the disease
• The consequences of the disease

Through the universal language of codes, healthcare providers across the globe can record, analyze, interpret, and compare data no matter where they are. The system also ensures the reusability of data for purposes beyond healthcare. It helps in the allocation of resources, reimbursement, and more [2].

What is the ICD 10 code for Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a serious and progressive disease that often begins with mild memory loss. It is the most common type of dementia that often leads to loss of ability to respond to the environment. The disease affects parts of the brain responsible for controlling thoughts, language, and memory [3].

The risk tends to increase with age, and symptoms can first appear after 60 years of age. While age is the primary risk factor, researchers also believe that genetics play a role to an extent. Nonetheless, a healthy lifestyle is the key to reducing your risk of developing the disease.

It’s important to note that the onset is never sudden. Mild brain changes can occur years before serious symptoms appear. Even though a healthy lifestyle can’t do much alone, it does reduce a person’s risk for cognitive decline.

The most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include [4]:

• Poor judgment
• Memory loss that slowly begins disrupting daily life
• Frequent changes in mood and behavior
• Trouble paying bills or handling money, or doing routine tasks that were once easy
• Misplacing things, etc.

In ICD-10, Alzheimer’s disease broadly comes under the “diseases of the nervous system” category. The ICD-10 code for Alzheimer’s is G30 [5].

Further specifications are detailed below.

Primary Alzheimer’s Disease ICD 10 code: G30

Alzheimer’s ICD 10 code G30 lookup

The table below lists the ICD-10 codes for Alzheimer’s [5].

G30: Alzheimer’s disease

Types of Alzheimer’s under G30

The ICD 10 code G30 covers different types of Alzheimer’s, such as:

• Early onset Alzheimer’s disease
• Late-onset Alzheimer's disease
• Familial Alzheimer’s disease

Early onset Alzheimer's differs from other types of the disease due to the rapid brain changes it involves. There could be plaque development and loss of brain volume. Researchers believe that it's also linked to a defect in "chromosome 14" of a person's DNA.

So, if you're someone with early onset Alzheimer's, you will be given a G30.0 code for diagnosis. In the case of G30.9 (Alzheimer’s disease, unspecified), additional codes may follow to show dementia with or without behavioral disturbances.

For example:

• Alzheimer’s G30.9 [F02.81] indicates that the disease exists with behavioral disturbance.
• Alzheimer’s G30.9 [F02.80} indicates that the disease exists without behavioral disturbance

Alzheimer’s disease types excluded from ICD-10 G30

Alzheimer’s disease mainly comes under the code G30. However, similar disorders also come under G31 (Other degenerative diseases of the nervous system, not elsewhere classified), such as:

• G31.0: Frontotemporal dementia

Furthermore, showing dementia with other conditions also requires using additional codes. For example [6]:

• G30.9 [F02.84]: Dementia with anxiety
• G30.9 [F02.81]: Dementia with behavioral disturbance
• G30.9 [F02.80]: Dementia without behavioral disturbance
• G30.9 [F02.83]: Dementia with mood disturbance
• G30.9 [F02.82]: Dementia with psychotic disturbance

The stated codes are not a part of the G30 category independently since they include conditions that aren't normally a part of Alzheimer's disease. So, dementia with psychotic disturbance is not the same as early or late-onset Alzheimer's because the latter does not include delusions and hallucinations.

Conclusion

Assigning the right ICD-10 codes for Alzheimer’s is crucial for an accurate diagnosis. While symptoms tend to be similar in many cases, Alzheimer’s can also co-occur with other disorders such as psychosis, anxiety, etc.

While it broadly falls under ICD-10 G30, frontotemporal dementia comes under G31 mainly because it's an uncommon type of dementia. This type of dementia causes issues with language and behavior, and it usually affects the front and sides of the brain.

It's important to be careful with codes, especially when it comes to diagnosing the right type of Alzheimer’s disease. Since early and late-onset Alzheimer’s have similar symptoms, assigning the wrong code can lead to complications, especially when it comes to treating or managing them.

Therefore, it is important for healthcare professionals to clarify the specifics of a patient’s case for accurate reporting and documentation. This includes:

• Noting down each symptom
• Analyzing other types of Alzheimer’s with the same symptoms
• Mentioning any complications
• Stating underlying conditions
• Suggesting possible treatment courses
• Highlighting pre-existing/co-occurring issues that may be worsening the symptoms