Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects older adults, leading to a decline in cognitive functions such as memory, thinking, and language skills [1] [2] [3]. It is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for an estimated 60% to 70% of all dementia cases [4]. The disease is characterized by complex changes in the brain, including the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which lead to the loss of brain cells and brain shrinkage [4] [5]. Symptoms typically worsen over time, progressing from mild memory problems to severe cognitive impairment that eventually requires total care [1] [3]. While Alzheimer's usually begins after age 60, a rare early-onset form can occur between ages 30 and mid-60s [4].

According to www.iAsk.Ai - Ask AI:

The ICD-10-CM code G30.9 specifically refers to "Alzheimer's disease, unspecified" [1] [6] [7]. This code is billable and became effective on October 1, 2024, for the 2025 edition of ICD-10-CM [1]. It is part of the G00-G99 range, which covers diseases of the nervous system [1].

When coding for Alzheimer's disease, it is often necessary to use two codes due to the etiology/manifestation convention in ICD-10-CM [4] [8]. The G30 category (Alzheimer's disease) serves as the underlying etiology, and a code from category F02 ("Dementia in other diseases classified elsewhere") is used to specify the manifestation, such as the type and severity of dementia and any associated behavioral disturbances [4] [8] [9]. For instance, G30.9 would be sequenced first, followed by an F02 code like F02.80 for dementia without behavioral disturbance or F02.81 for dementia with behavioral disturbance [8] [9].

The G30 category also includes more specific codes for Alzheimer's disease based on the age of onset: G30.0 for early-onset Alzheimer's disease and G30.1 for late-onset Alzheimer's disease [1] [8]. G30.8 is used for other specified forms of Alzheimer's disease, such as atypical dementia [1] [8]. The general code G30 is considered non-billable because more detailed codes are available [10].

It is crucial for medical documentation to be precise, identifying the root cause of dementia and detailing any associated symptoms like behavioral disturbances, mood disturbances, psychotic disturbances, or anxiety [3] [4] [9]. Additional codes may also be used for conditions like delirium (F05) or wandering (Z91.83), if applicable [1] [9] [10]. While dementia is inherent in Alzheimer's disease, specific documentation of dementia is not always needed for code assignment, but detailed information on its manifestations is vital for accurate coding and reimbursement [8].

Answer Provided by iAsk.ai – Ask AI.