2025 ICD-10-CM code G80.9
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Cerebral palsy - Cerebral palsy and other paralytic syndromes (G80-G83) Diseases of the nervous system (G00-G99) Feed
Unspecified cerebral palsy. This code is used when the type of cerebral palsy is not documented.
Medical necessity for services related to cerebral palsy is based on the individual patient's functional limitations and needs. Documentation should support the need for interventions like physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medications, or assistive devices.
The provider is responsible for documenting the complete clinical picture of the patient's CP, including any associated symptoms and functional limitations.While G80.9 can be used when the type is unspecified, best practice encourages specifying the type whenever possible.
In simple words: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition that makes it hard for a person to control their movement and posture. This particular code means the doctor hasn't specified what type of CP the patient has.
Unspecified cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder characterized by postural, coordination, and movement problems of varying degrees due to a disruption in the communication between the brain and the body.This code is used when the specific type of CP (e.g. spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic) is not specified by the provider.
Example 1: A 5-year-old child presents with difficulty walking, poor balance, and involuntary movements. The provider diagnoses cerebral palsy but does not specify the type. G80.9 is used., An adult patient with a history of cerebral palsy since childhood is admitted to the hospital for an unrelated condition. The medical record does not document the type of CP. G80.9 is used., An infant is being evaluated for developmental delays and shows signs of motor impairment. The provider suspects cerebral palsy but further testing is required to determine the specific type. G80.9 is used until a more definitive diagnosis can be made.
Documentation should include details of the patient's motor impairments, functional limitations, associated symptoms, and any diagnostic studies performed (e.g., MRI, EEG). While this code can be used when the type of CP is not specified, efforts should be made to document the type whenever possible.
- Specialties:Pediatrics, Neurology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Developmental Pediatrics
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Physician's Office, Rehabilitation Facility, Skilled Nursing Facility