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I72.6 ICD-10-CM Code: Aneurysm of vertebral artery

Compare with another code for I72.6Check this code on a claim

Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.

Coding at a Glance

Tabular directives
1 inclusion term · 19 Excludes2
Risk adjustment
CMS-HCC V22 category 108

Billable · FY2027A valid, specific ICD-10-CM code, reportable for dates of service in FY2027.

What you need to know

Source: CMS/NCHS Official ICD-10-CM tabular notes, quoted. From the CMS/NCHS tabular list for the release in force. A note the category or block publishes applies to this code too, and is marked with where it comes from.

Excludes2Not included here; may be reported together
  • dissection of vertebral artery (I77.74)
  • acquired aneurysm (I77.0) (from I72)
  • aneurysm (of) aorta (I71.-) (from I72)
  • aneurysm (of) arteriovenous NOS (Q27.3-) (from I72)

+15 more in Instructions

Includesfrom I72What I72 covers
  • aneurysm (cirsoid) (false) (ruptured)

Where it sits Source: CMS/NCHS

Under:Chapter 9: Diseases of the Circulatory SystemI70-I79 Diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillariesI72 Other aneurysm

Most relevant related codes MedCoder-derived

Read off the official notes above and this code’s own position in the tabular list. Which to report is a documentation question; Compare shows the two side by side.

CompareCheck ClaimView Related Codes

Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v44, Appendix B.

  • MS-DRG 299 — PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISORDERS WITH MCC (MDC 05)
  • MS-DRG 300 — PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISORDERS WITH CC (MDC 05)
  • MS-DRG 301 — PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISORDERS WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 05)

A diagnosis appearing in a group's logic does not by itself determine the DRG assigned to a stay; the grouper uses the full claim.

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for I72.6 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2027Effective: October 1, 2026

Trace:FY2027 changesChange historyRelease, file and checksum

Notes without a marker are published on I72.6 itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

Includes

Conditions the official ICD-10-CM tabular list includes under this code.

  • aneurysm (cirsoid) (false) (ruptured)

Source: inherited from I72

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.

Coder workflow for I72.6

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement
Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).
Anatomical site
At the most specific level the record states; a site the classification separates cannot be assumed from a procedure or a measurement.

Official instructions as workflow

  • Excludes2 — not part of I72.6(19 notes)

    Coding workflow: The conditions named in this note are not included in I72.6. When the record documents both, both may be reported; the note is a boundary, not a prohibition.

    CompareI77.74, I77.0, I71, Q27.3, I77.71, I67.1

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.b

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Don’t confuse I72.6 with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of I72.6 — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

  • I72.9— Specificity relationship (Review)

    Overlapping diagnoses in the same category.

    Overlapping codes in the same category — the documentation decides which is the more specific fit.

    What moves you there: A record that documents no more than “Aneurysm of unspecified site” takes I72.9; specificity in the record moves it back here.

    Full comparison: I72.6 vs I72.9 →

  • I77.74— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of dissection of vertebral artery adds I77.74; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: I72.6 vs I77.74 →

  • I77.0— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of acquired aneurysm adds I77.0; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: I72.6 vs I77.0 →

  • I71— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of aneurysm (of) aorta adds I71; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: I72.6 vs I71 →

  • Q27.3— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of aneurysm (of) arteriovenous NOS adds Q27.3; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: I72.6 vs Q27.3 →

  • I77.71— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of carotid artery dissection adds I77.71; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: I72.6 vs I77.71 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Coding context

Guidelines, coding notes, decision aids, relationships (with MS-DRG and CCSR classification), hierarchy, HCC, coverage and the context map: what a coder reaches for after the core. Each section names whether it is official source data, a MedCoder-derived relationship or MedCoder editorial.

Code Overview

Aneurysm of vertebral artery is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (I72.6).

MedCoder summary Summary composed by MedCoder from this code's official ICD-10-CM record. The tabular instructional notes themselves appear verbatim below.

Verify Before Coding

  • No Medicare Code Editor or MS-DRG Definitions Manual restrictions apply to this code.

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder-derived relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name I72.6 or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.

Referenced by 3 Excludes2 notes: I72.5 — Aneurysm of other precerebral arteries, I77.74 — Dissection of vertebral artery, I77.75 — Dissection of other precerebral arteries.

These codes’ tabular lists name this diagnosis as distinct — both may be reported when both are documented.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2027)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2027 MS-DRG: not on the CMS CC/MCC list — as a secondary diagnosis this code does not change MS-DRG severity for that release.

Named in the grouper logic of 3 MS-DRGs: DRG 299 (MDC 05), DRG 300 (MDC 05), DRG 301 (MDC 05).

From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):CIR029 — Aortic; peripheral; and visceral artery aneurysms (default).

Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Related Codes

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical category (Aortic; peripheral; and visceral artery aneurysms).

I71.43 — Infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm, without rupture, I71.5 — Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, ruptured, I71.50 — Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, ruptured, unspecified, I71.51 — Supraceliac aneurysm of the thoracoabdominal aorta, ruptured, I71.52 — Paravisceral aneurysm of the thoracoabdominal aorta, ruptured, I71.6 — Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, without rupture, I71.60 — Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, without rupture, unspecified, I71.61 — Supraceliac aneurysm of the thoracoabdominal aorta, without rupture, I71.62 — Paravisceral aneurysm of the thoracoabdominal aorta, without rupture, I71.8 — Aortic aneurysm of unspecified site, ruptured, I71.9 — Aortic aneurysm of unspecified site, without rupture, I72.0 — Aneurysm of carotid artery, I72.1 — Aneurysm of artery of upper extremity, I72.2 — Aneurysm of renal artery, I72.3 — Aneurysm of iliac artery, I72.4 — Aneurysm of artery of lower extremity, I72.5 — Aneurysm of other precerebral arteries, I72.8 — Aneurysm of other specified arteries, I72.9 — Aneurysm of unspecified site, I79.0 — Aneurysm of aorta in diseases classified elsewhere, +20 more

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main term “Aneurysm”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

I71.42 — Juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm, without rupture (abdominal, juxtarenal), I71.43 — Infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm, without rupture (abdominal, infrarenal), I71.50 — Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, ruptured, unspecified (thoracoabdominal, ruptured), I71.51 — Supraceliac aneurysm of the thoracoabdominal aorta, ruptured (aorta, aortic, thoracoabdominal, supraceliac, ruptured), I71.52 — Paravisceral aneurysm of the thoracoabdominal aorta, ruptured (aorta, aortic, thoracoabdominal, paravisceral, ruptured), I71.60 — Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, without rupture, unspecified (thoracoabdominal), I71.61 — Supraceliac aneurysm of the thoracoabdominal aorta, without rupture (aorta, aortic, thoracoabdominal, supraceliac), I71.62 — Paravisceral aneurysm of the thoracoabdominal aorta, without rupture (aorta, aortic, thoracoabdominal, paravisceral), I71.8 — Aortic aneurysm of unspecified site, ruptured (cylindroid, ruptured), I71.9 — Aortic aneurysm of unspecified site, without rupture (cylindroid), I77.0 — Arteriovenous fistula, acquired (arteriovenous, acquired), I86.8 — Varicose veins of other specified sites (venous), Q14.1 — Congenital malformation of retina (retina, congenital), Q24.5 — Malformation of coronary vessels (coronary, congenital), Q25.0 — Patent ductus arteriosus (ductus arteriosus), Q25.43 — Congenital aneurysm of aorta (sinus of Valsalva), Q25.72 — Congenital pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (pulmonary, arteriovenous), Q25.79 — Other congenital malformations of pulmonary artery (congenital, pulmonary), Q27.8 — Other specified congenital malformations of peripheral vascular system (congenital), Q28.0 — Arteriovenous malformation of precerebral vessels (arteriovenous, precerebral vessels), +39 more

Lab tests where this diagnosis supports Medicare coverage (NCD)

Medicare's National Coverage Determination (NCD) program lists this diagnosis as medical justification for these lab tests.

Lipid Panel

Contextual Map

Every relationship of I72.6 in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Run I72.6 with these 3 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Excludes2

Referenced by Excludes2 notes

Clinical classification (CCSR)

MS-DRG Grouper

MDC crossing

  • MDC 05 — Diseases and Disorders of the Circulatory System[MDC crossing]: “Diseases and Disorders of the Circulatory System — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs. 15,708 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2027

Index entries

  • Aneurysm (anastomotic) (artery) (cirsoid) (diffuse) (false) (fusiform) (multiple) (saccular), vertebral artery[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2027

Nearest codes (9)

Change history

Reference

Index terms and tables, published questions and FAQ, every source behind this page with its release and checksum, the date-of-service check and the complete change history.

Indexed Clinical Terms (1)

Official source data — entries quoted as published, in the Index’s own lookup phrasing

Clinical term phrases from the official ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries that map to this code. These are alphabetic-index entries shown as the Index writes them — lookup phrasing, not necessarily the wording of a final diagnosis.

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data
CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2027 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2026 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Claim edits Official source data
CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v44.0 (October 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Inpatient payment groups Official source data
CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (incl. Appendix B diagnosis index, Appendix C CC/MCC list, Appendix E procedure index) and IPPS Final Rule tables — v44 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data
CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder-derived relationship
Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears
Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder editorial explanation
Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Current data releases:ICD-10-CM FY2027 · ICD-10-PCS FY2027 · HCPCS October 2026 · MS-DRG v44 · Medicare Code Editor v44.0 · NCCI PTP Q4 2026 · MUE Q4 2026 · NCD code lists 2026-01 · LCD export September 28, 2026 · All releases and sources

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder-derived relationship · MedCoder editorial explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates · CMS coding rules

Cite this page

Reference this page in a research guide, syllabus or article. The release is included because code content changes each year.

MedCoder.ai. "I72.6 — Aneurysm of vertebral artery." ICD-10-CM FY2027. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/i72.6-aneurysm-of-vertebral-artery

Change history

  • FY2017 — October 1, 2016
    Added to the code set
    Aneurysm of vertebral artery
    FY2017 changes

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to I72.6 in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the I72 family