Mild Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Known Physiological Condition
Published on
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Did You Know?
New codes for mild neurocognitive disorder, also known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have been created. Mild neurocognitive disorder can be defined as an impairment in a patient’s memory or thinking that is beyond what is considered to be normal age-related changes. However, it is not severe enough to be classified as dementia. Patients with MCI have symptoms that are subtle and do not affect a patient's daily life and activities. They typically do not experience personality changes or functional impairments but have symptoms such as forgetfulness and word-finding difficulties. Patients with MCI are at an increased risk of developing dementia caused by Alzheimer's or other neurological conditions.
Subcategory F06.7 Mild neurocognitive disorder due to known physiological condition
Code first the underlying physiological condition, such as:
Alzheimer’s disease
Frontotemporal neurocognitive disorder
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease
Huntington’s disease
Neurocognitive disorder with Lewy bodies
Parkinson’s disease
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Traumatic brain injury
Vitamin B deficiency
Excludes1: Age-related cognitive decline
Altered mental status
Cerebral degeneration
Change in mental status
Cognitive deficits following sequelae of cerebral hemorrhage or infarction
Dementia
Mild cognitive impairment due to unknown or unspecified etiology
Neurologic neglect syndrome
Personality change, nonpsychotic
- F06.70, Mild neurocognitive disorder due to known physiological condition without behavioral disturbance
- F06.71, Mild neurocognitive disorder due to known physiological condition with behavioral disturbance
Why It Matters?
The new codes will help capture patients who have not yet developed dementia but do have mild cognitive impairment. Capturing the presence or absence of behavioral disturbances is a significant indicator of the progression of the underlying disease.
What Can I Do?
Be mindful and watch for documentation of mild cognitive disorders or MCI with behavioral disturbances (combativeness, agitation, etc.) to appropriately capture these new codes.
Please note: Patient’s with MCI with behavioral disturbances (F06.71) is a complication/comorbidity (CC).
References:
- ICD-10-CM Official Coding Book
- Coding Clinic for ICD-10-CM/PCS, Fourth Quarter, 2022:Page 16
- Coding Clinic for ICD-10-CM/PCS, Third Quarter 2021:Page 3
Article Author: Susie James, RHIT, CCS
Susie James, RHIT, CCS, is the Manager of Inpatient Coding Services at MMP, Inc. Susie has worked in the coding field for over 30 years and has worked as a coder, coding supervisor, and corporate coding manager for a large multi-facility system in Birmingham. She also worked for Alabama Quality Assurance Foundation (AQAF) as a coding reviewer/auditor before joining the team at Medical Management Plus, Inc. Susie has previously served as the President of the Alabama Association of Health Information Management (AAHIM) on the Board of Directors and currently serves as the Education/Coding Roundtable Chair. She is also a member of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and has previously served as the Co-chair for AHIMA's Leadership Team. She also served as a facilitator at AHIMA's 85th National Convention in Atlanta Georgia.
