R29.701 ICD-10-CM Code: NIHSS score 1

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for R29.701 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2026Effective: October 1, 2025

Notes without a marker are published on R29.701 itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

This page already reflects the FY2027 tabular note taking effect October 1, 2026.

Coder workflow for R29.701

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

Before you code R29.701

1. Check whether an established diagnosis that explains this sign or symptom is documented. If one is, review whether the documented diagnosis changes the coding pathway: a symptom that is integral to a confirmed diagnosis is not reported separately, while one not routinely associated with it may be. Signs and symptoms are reported when no definitive diagnosis is established (Guidelines I.B.4, I.B.5, I.B.6, I.C.18.b).

   Guide: Symptom code vs confirmed diagnosis →

Choose the right path

1. Is an established diagnosis that explains this sign or symptom documented?
   Yes → Review whether the documented diagnosis changes the coding pathway: a symptom integral to it is not reported separately.
   No → Continue — the sign or symptom code stands when no definitive diagnosis is established.
2. Is the underlying (etiologic) condition the Code First note names documented?
   Yes → Sequence the underlying condition first, then R29.701.
   No → Continue; do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

   ReviewI60, I61, I62, I63

Consider R29.701. Then confirm the code is valid for the date of service in the Verify section.

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).

The underlying (etiologic) condition

Named in the Code First note; sequenced before this code when documented (Guidelines I.A.13).

Official instructions as workflow

• Code First — sequencing check(1 note)

  Coding workflow: Check whether the underlying or etiologic condition the note names is documented. When it is, sequence it before R29.701. Do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

  ReviewI60, I61, I62, I63

  See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.13

Coding decision scenarios

Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases

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.

Official Coding Guidelines

Official source data — quoted verbatim from the CMS/NCHS Official Guidelines

Official source data — quoted verbatim from the CMS/NCHS Official Guidelines

Verbatim excerpts from the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting (CMS/NCHS) that govern this code.

Verify Before Coding

• Principal-diagnosis restriction. The Medicare Code Editor lists this code as unacceptable as a principal diagnosis: it describes a circumstance influencing health status rather than a current illness or injury being treated. It is valid as a secondary diagnosis.

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 structured relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name R29.701 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 4 Use Additional Code instructions: I60 — Nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (via R29.7.-), I61 — Nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (via R29.7.-), I62 — Other and unspecified nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage (via R29.7.-), I63 — Cerebral infarction (via R29.7.-).

These codes instruct coders to additionally report this code when it applies.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2026)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2026 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 1 MS-DRG: DRG 951 (MDC 23).

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

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):CIR020 — Cerebral infarction.

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

Related Codes

Principal diagnosis restriction (Medicare Code Editor)

Not acceptable as a principal diagnosis on an inpatient claim.

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical category (Cerebral infarction).

I63.6 — Cerebral infarction due to cerebral venous thrombosis, nonpyogenic, I63.8 — Other cerebral infarction, I63.81 — Other cerebral infarction due to occlusion or stenosis of small artery, I63.89 — Other cerebral infarction, I63.9 — Cerebral infarction, unspecified, I97.810 — Intraoperative cerebrovascular infarction during cardiac surgery, I97.811 — Intraoperative cerebrovascular infarction during other surgery, I97.820 — Postprocedural cerebrovascular infarction following cardiac surgery, I97.821 — Postprocedural cerebrovascular infarction following other surgery, R29.700 — NIHSS score 0, R29.702 — NIHSS score 2, R29.703 — NIHSS score 3, R29.704 — NIHSS score 4, R29.705 — NIHSS score 5, R29.706 — NIHSS score 6, R29.707 — NIHSS score 7, R29.708 — NIHSS score 8, R29.709 — NIHSS score 9, R29.710 — NIHSS score 10, R29.711 — NIHSS score 11, +122 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.

Blood Glucose Test, HIV Screening Test, Lipid Panel, Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) Test, Prothrombin Time Test and INR (PT/INR), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Contextual Map

Every relationship of R29.701 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 R29.701 with these 4 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

• R00-R99 — Chapter 18: Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory Findings, Not Elsewhere Classified (R00-R99) (R00-R99)[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• R25-R29 — Symptoms and signs involving the nervous and musculoskeletal systems[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026

Referenced by Use Additional Code instructions

• I60 — Nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage[Use Additional Code](via R29.7.-): “code, if known, to indicate National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (R29.7-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
• I61 — Nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage[Use Additional Code](via R29.7.-): “code, if known, to indicate National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (R29.7-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
• I62 — Other and unspecified nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage[Use Additional Code](via R29.7.-): “code, if known, to indicate National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (R29.7-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
• I63 — Cerebral infarction[Use Additional Code](via R29.7.-): “code, if known, to indicate National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (R29.7-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026

Clinical classification (CCSR)

• CIR020 — Cerebral infarction[CCSR]— AHRQ CCSR for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses (HCUP)

MS-DRG Grouper

• DRG 951 — OTHER FACTORS INFLUENCING HEALTH STATUS[MS-DRG]: “OTHER FACTORS INFLUENCING HEALTH STATUS (MDC 23)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026

MDC crossing

• MDC 23 — Factors Influencing Health Status and Other Contacts with Health Services[MDC crossing]: “Factors Influencing Health Status and Other Contacts with Health Services — 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. 1,235 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2026

Nearest codes (40)

• R29 — Other symptoms and signs involving the nervous and musculoskeletal systems[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• R29.0 — Tetany[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• R29.1 — Meningismus[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• R29.2 — Abnormal reflex[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• R29.3 — Abnormal posture[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• R29.4 — Clicking hip[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• R29.5 — Transient paralysis[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• R29.6 — Repeated falls[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• and 32 more

Change history (3)

• FY2027 — Code First note will be added[Change history]— CMS release files (code change ledger) · icd10cm-fy2027
• and 2 more

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 FY2026 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2025 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Coding guidelines Official source data

ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting (FY2026), quoted by section Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Claim edits Official source data

CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v43.1 (April 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 — v43 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 structured 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 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.

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder structured relationship · MedCoder explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to R29.701 in its code family, with their registry titles.

• R29.5 — Transient paralysis
• R29.6 — Repeated falls
• R29.7 — National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score
• R29.70 — NIHSS score 0-9
• R29.700 — NIHSS score 0
• R29.702 — NIHSS score 2
• R29.703 — NIHSS score 3
• R29.704 — NIHSS score 4
• R29.705 — NIHSS score 5
• R29.706 — NIHSS score 6

View all codes in the R29 family