Q & A with Dr. Z: White Matter Small Vessel Ischemic Disease ICD-10-CM

By David Zielske, MD, CIRCC, COC, CCVTC, CCC, CCS, RCC|2025-01-11T08:53:13-05:00January 11th, 2025|Coders' Corner|Comments Off

by David Zielske, MD, CIRCC, COC, CCVTC, CCC, CCS, RCC

Question:
What code should be used for white matter small vessel ischemic changes? Some coders use R90.82; some use I67.82. Is there a definitive code that should be used?

Answer:
White matter small vessel ischemic changes should be coded with I67.82. The index takes you to ischemia, brain, cerebral. This code is more specified than R90.82.

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About the Author: David Zielske, MD, CIRCC, COC, CCVTC, CCC, CCS, RCC

David Zielske is founder and President of ZHealth Publishing and primary author and editor of ZHealth publications. Dr. Z practiced as an interventional radiologist and has over twenty years experience as a coding reviewer and coding expert. He is Board Certified in Radiology and has functioned as an independent interventional radiology, vascular surgery, and cardiovascular coding consultant to a variety of physician groups and hospital providers across the country. He also served as an instructor for over 200 coding seminars. Dr. Zielske can be reached at davidz@ZHealthConsulting.com.

Q & A with Dr. Z: White Matter Small Vessel Ischemic Disease ICD-10-CM