Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G12.2

Motor neuron disease

ICD-10-CM Code:
G12.2
ICD-10 Code for:
Motor neuron disease
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the nervous system
    (G00–G99)
    • Systemic atrophies primarily affecting the central nervous system
      (G10-G14)
      • Spinal muscular atrophy and related syndromes
        (G12)

G12.2 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of motor neuron disease. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Motor neuron disease

Non-specific codes like G12.2 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for motor neuron disease:

  • Use G12.20 for Motor neuron disease, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use G12.21 for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use G12.22 for Progressive bulbar palsy - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use G12.23 for Primary lateral sclerosis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use G12.24 for Familial motor neuron disease - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use G12.25 for Progressive spinal muscle atrophy - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use G12.29 for Other motor neuron disease - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

    a degenerative disorder affecting upper motor neurons in the brain and lower motor neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord. disease onset is usually after the age of 50 and the process is usually fatal within 3 to 6 years. clinical manifestations include progressive weakness, atrophy, fasciculation, hyperreflexia, dysarthria, dysphagia, and eventual paralysis of respiratory function. pathologic features include the replacement of motor neurons with fibrous astrocytes and atrophy of anterior spinal nerve roots and corticospinal tracts. (from adams et al., principles of neurology, 6th ed, pp1089-94)
  • Motor Neuron Disease

    diseases characterized by a selective degeneration of the motor neurons of the spinal cord, brainstem, or motor cortex. clinical subtypes are distinguished by the major site of degeneration. in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis there is involvement of upper, lower, and brainstem motor neurons. in progressive muscular atrophy and related syndromes (see muscular atrophy, spinal) the motor neurons in the spinal cord are primarily affected. with progressive bulbar palsy (bulbar palsy, progressive), the initial degeneration occurs in the brainstem. in primary lateral sclerosis, the cortical neurons are affected in isolation. (adams et al., principles of neurology, 6th ed, p1089)

Patient Education


Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a nervous system disease that attacks nerve cells called neurons in your brain and spinal cord. These neurons transmit messages from your brain and spinal cord to your voluntary muscles - the ones you can control, like in your arms and legs. At first, this causes mild muscle problems. Some people notice:

  • Trouble walking or running
  • Trouble writing
  • Speech problems

Eventually, you lose your strength and cannot move. When muscles in your chest fail, you cannot breathe. A breathing machine can help, but most people with ALS die from respiratory failure.

The disease usually strikes between age 40 and 60. More men than women get it. No one knows what causes ALS. It can run in families, but usually it strikes at random. There is no cure. Medicines can relieve symptoms and, sometimes, prolong survival.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Neuromuscular Disorders

Neuromuscular disorders affect your neuromuscular system. They can cause problems with:

  • The nerves that control your muscles
  • Your muscles
  • Communication between your nerves and muscles

These disorders can cause your muscles to become weak and waste away. You may also have symptoms such as spasms, twitching, and pain.

Examples of neuromuscular disorders include:

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Spinal muscular atrophy

There can be different causes for these diseases. Many of them are genetic.This means they are inherited (run in families) or are caused by a new mutation in your genes. Some neuromuscular disorders are autoimmune diseases. Sometimes the cause is unknown.

Many neuromuscular diseases have no cure. But treatments may improve symptoms, increase mobility, and lengthen life.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.