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Question: The neurologist treats a patient with an intellectual disability. Encounter notes indicate that the patient had an IQ level of 64. My neurology diagnosis code cheat sheet doesn鈥檛 have any IQ level ranges for the intellectual disability ICD-10-CM codes. What diagnosis code should I choose to represent this patient鈥檚 disability?

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Answer: If you can get your hands on an ICD-10-CM code book, you could update your cheat sheet to include IQ level ranges, which are listed under the appropriate codes in the Intellectual Disabilities (F70-F79). For this patient, report F70 (Mild intellectual disabilities); according to ICD-10-CM, these patients have an IQ of 50-55 to approximately 70.

When a patient has an IQ level of 35-40 to 50-55, report F71 (Moderate intellectual disabilities).

When a patient has an IQ level of 20-25 to 35-40 report F72 (Severe intellectual disabilities).

Whan a patient has an IQ level below 20-25, report F73 (Profound intellectual disabilities).

Note: When using these codes, ICD-10-CM instructs you to 鈥淐ode first any associated physical or developmental disorders.鈥�

So, for example, if a patient has autism spectrum disorder and an IQ level of 53, you鈥檇 report F84.0 (Autistic disorder) along with F71.

Chris Boucher, MS, CPC, Senior Development Editor, AAPC