2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I63.213
Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of bilateral vertebral arteries
- ICD-10-CM Code:
- I63.213
- ICD-10 Code for:
- Cereb infrc due to unsp occls or stenosis of bi verteb art
- Is Billable?
- Yes - Valid for Submission
- Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
- Chronic
- Code Navigator:
I63.213 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of bilateral vertebral arteries. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
Unspecified diagnosis codes like I63.213 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.
Approximate Synonyms
The following list of clinical terms are approximate synonyms, alternative descriptions, or common phrases that might be used by patients, healthcare providers, or medical coders to describe the same condition. These synonyms and related diagnosis terms are often used when searching for an ICD-10 code, especially when the exact medical terminology is unclear. Whether you're looking for lay terms, similar diagnosis names, or common language alternatives, this list can help guide you to the correct ICD-10 classification.
- Cerebrovascular accident due to occlusion of bilateral vertebral arteries
- Cerebrovascular accident due to occlusion of left vertebral artery
- Cerebrovascular accident due to right vertebral artery occlusion
- Cerebrovascular accident due to stenosis of bilateral vertebral arteries
- Cerebrovascular accident due to stenosis of left vertebral artery
- Cerebrovascular accident due to stenosis of right vertebral artery
Clinical Classification
Clinical Classifications group individual ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes into broader, clinically meaningful categories. These categories help simplify complex data by organizing related conditions under common clinical themes.
They are especially useful for data analysis, reporting, and clinical decision-making. Even when diagnosis codes differ, similar conditions can be grouped together based on their clinical relevance. Each category is assigned a unique CCSR code that represents a specific clinical concept, often tied to a body system or medical specialty.
Cerebral infarction
CCSR Code: CIR020
Inpatient Default: Y - Yes, default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
Outpatient Default: Y - Yes, default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
Replacement Code
I63213 replaces the following previously assigned ICD-10-CM code(s):
- I63.211 - Cereb infrc due to unsp occls or stenos of right verteb art
- I63.211 - Cerebral infrc due to unsp occls or stenosis of r verteb art
- I63.212 - Cereb infrc due to unsp occls or stenosis of left verteb art
- I63.212 - Cerebral infrc due to unsp occls or stenosis of l verteb art
Convert I63.213 to ICD-9-CM
Below are the ICD-9 codes that most closely match this ICD-10 code, based on the General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs). This ICD-10 to ICD-9 crosswalk tool is helpful for coders who need to reference legacy diagnosis codes for audits, historical claims, or approximate code comparisons.
Ocl vrtb art w infrct
ICD-9-CM: 433.21
Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means this ICD-10 code does not have an exact ICD-9 equivalent. The matched code is the closest available option, but it may not fully capture the original diagnosis or clinical intent.
Patient Education
Ischemic Stroke
What is an ischemic stroke?
A stroke happens when there is a loss of blood flow to part of the brain. Your brain cells cannot get the oxygen and nutrients they need from blood, and they start to die within a few minutes. This can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.
There are two main types of strokes, ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke is the more common type. An ischemic stroke happens when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain. Quick treatment can save a life and improve the chances of recovery.
What causes an ischemic stroke?
Ischemic strokes are usually caused by one or more of the following:
- A blood clot. A clot can form in an artery that supplies the brain (thrombosis), or it can travel from another part of the body (embolism).
- Atherosclerosis. A disease in which plaque, a sticky substance made up of cholesterol, fat, and other substances, builds up inside your arteries.
- Irregular heart rhythms. Conditions like atrial fibrillation can cause clots to form in the heart, which may travel to the brain.
- Other heart and blood conditions. Such as heart valve diseases or sickle cell disease.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is caused by a brief blockage of blood flow to the brain. It usually lasts a few minutes. Having a TIA can mean you are at risk for having a more serious stroke.
What are the symptoms of ischemic stroke?
Symptoms of stroke often happen suddenly. They include:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
If you think someone is having a stroke, the F.A.S.T. test can help you remember what to look for. Think "FAST" and look for:
- Face drooping on one side when smiling.
- Arm weakness that occurs when the arms are raised, and one arm drifts downward.
- Speech is slurred or strange.
- Time to call 911.
How is an ischemic stroke diagnosed?
To make a diagnosis, your health care provider may do a physical exam, ask about your symptoms and medical history, and use imaging tests. Other heart tests may be done to help find the cause of the stroke.
How is an ischemic stroke treated?
It is important to treat strokes as quickly as possible. The most common treatments include:
- Medicines such as blood thinners or thrombolytics (which break up and dissolve existing clots) may be used to prevent or treat ischemic stroke.
- Surgery or stenting may be used to open narrowed arteries or remove plaque build-up from the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain.
After treatment, rehabilitation can help you regain lost skills and independence. Your provider may also order other medicines to manage your blood pressure,cholesterol, or other health problems such as diabetes that may increase your risk for stroke.
Can an ischemic stroke be prevented?
The best way to prevent stroke is by making heart-healthy lifestyle changes to lower your risk. If lifestyle changes aren't enough, your provider may prescribe medicine to help manage your risk factors.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]
Code History
- FY 2026 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026
- FY 2025 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2025
- 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
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.