2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A81.2

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

ICD-10-CM Code:
A81.2
ICD-10 Code for:
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
    (A00–B99)
    • Viral and prion infections of the central nervous system
      (A80-A89)
      • Atypical virus infections of central nervous system
        (A81)

A81.2 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Central nervous system demyelinating disease with AIDS
  • Cerebral degeneration due to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
  • Cerebral degeneration due to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
  • Dementia with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
  • Demyelinating disease of central nervous system co-occurrent with human immunodeficiency virus infection
  • Demyelinating disease of central nervous system co-occurrent with human immunodeficiency virus infection
  • Disease due to JC polyomavirus
  • Disease due to JC polyomavirus
  • Disease due to JC polyomavirus
  • Disease due to JC polyomavirus
  • Disease due to JC polyomavirus
  • Encephalopathy with AIDS
  • Leukoencephalopathy with brainstem and spinal cord involvement and lactate elevation
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy co-occurrent with human immunodeficiency virus infection
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy co-occurrent with human immunodeficiency virus infection
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy with AIDS
  • White matter disorder caused by infection
  • White matter disorder caused by infection
  • White matter disorder caused by infection
  • White matter disorder caused by infection
  • White matter disorder caused by infection

Clinical Classification

Clinical CategoryCCSR Category CodeInpatient Default CCSROutpatient Default CCSR
Other specified CNS infection and poliomyelitisNVS003Y - Yes, default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.Y - Yes, default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
Viral infectionINF008N - Not default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.N - Not default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • Multifocal leukoencephalopathy NOS

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Convert A81.2 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 046.3 - Prog multifoc leukoencep
    Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 and ICD-9 codes and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code.

Patient Education


Encephalitis

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. Usually the cause is a viral infection, but bacteria can also cause it. It can be mild or severe. Most cases are mild. You may have flu-like symptoms. With a mild case, you may just need rest, plenty of fluids, and a pain reliever.

Severe cases need immediate treatment. Symptoms of severe cases include:

  • Severe headache
  • Sudden fever
  • Drowsiness
  • Vomiting
  • Confusion
  • Seizures

In babies, additional symptoms may include constant crying, poor feeding, body stiffness, and bulging in the soft spots of the skull.

Severe cases may require a stay in the hospital. Treatments include oral and intravenous (IV) medicines to reduce inflammation and treat infection. Patients with breathing difficulties may need artificial respiration. Some people may need physical, speech, and occupational therapy once the illness is under control.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Viral Infections

What are viruses?

Viruses are very tiny germs. They are made of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) inside of a protein coating. There are a huge number of viruses on earth. Only a small number of them can infect humans. Those viruses can infect our cells, which may cause disease. Some of the diseases that viruses can cause include the common cold, the flu, COVID-19, and HIV.

How are viruses spread?

Viruses can be spread in different ways:

  • Through droplets and particles that are breathed out by someone who has the infection. You might breathe in the droplets or particles, or they could land on your mouth, nose, or eyes.
  • By touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
  • From the pregnant parent to the baby during pregnancy.
  • Through contaminated food or water.
  • By being bitten by an infected insect or animal.
  • Through sexual contact (usually vaginal, anal and oral sex) with someone who has the infection.

How do viruses cause disease?

Viruses are like hijackers. They invade living, normal cells. They then use those cells to multiply (make copies of themselves). This process is also called replication. The process can kill, damage, or change the infected cells. Sometimes this can make you sick. The symptoms can range from mild to very severe. Other times, your immune system may be able to fight it off and you may not have any symptoms.

Each different virus usually only infects one type of cell in your body. For example, hepatitis viruses affect the cells in the liver. HIV infects a certain type of immune system cell.

What are the treatments for viral infections?

For most viral infections, treatments can only help with symptoms while you wait for your immune system to fight off the virus. There are antiviral medicines to treat some viral infections. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections.

Can viral infections be prevented?

Vaccines can help prevent you from getting many viral diseases. You may be able to prevent some viral infections by:

  • Proper hand washing.
  • Paying attention to food safety.
  • Cleaning surfaces that may be infected with germs.
  • Avoiding contact with wild animals.
  • Preventing insect bites by using insect repellent when you go outdoors. If you travel to an area that has a high risk of diseases from insect bites, also wear long pants, shirts, and socks.
  • Practicing safe sex (using a condom every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex).
  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

[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.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.