The ICD-10-CM code G61.81 is a crucial designation in medical coding, specifically used to identify Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuritis (CIDP) for diagnosis and reimbursement purposes in the United States. As a billable and specific code, G61.81 plays a vital role in healthcare administration, ensuring that diagnoses are accurately recorded and processed for medical claims. This code has been consistently recognized in the ICD-10-CM system since 2016 and remains current through the 2025 edition, effective from October 1, 2024.
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuritis, or CIDP, is a neurological disorder characterized by inflammation of the peripheral nerves and nerve roots, leading to demyelination, the damage of the protective covering of nerves. This demyelination disrupts nerve signals, causing muscle weakness, fatigue, and sensory problems, primarily in the arms and legs. Accurate diagnosis of CIDP is essential for patients to receive appropriate treatment, which often includes immunotherapy to manage the inflammation and its symptoms. The G61.81 Diagnosis code facilitates this process by providing a standardized way to classify and track CIDP cases within medical records and billing systems.
Several terms are closely associated with G61.81, reflecting the nature of CIDP. These approximate synonyms include “Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy” and “Polyradiculoneuropathy, inflammatory demyelination.” Understanding these terms can help healthcare professionals and patients alike to better grasp the condition that G61.81 represents. Furthermore, G61.81 falls under the broader category of “Inflammatory polyneuropathy,” highlighting its classification within neurological disorders involving nerve inflammation.
The consistent use of G61.81 over the years, with no changes from 2016 to 2025, underscores its established place in the ICD-10-CM coding system. This stability is important for maintaining consistent data collection and analysis related to CIDP. For those transitioning from ICD-9-CM, conversion tools are available to ensure accurate coding in the current ICD-10-CM system, emphasizing the importance of using the most up-to-date coding standards for diagnoses like Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuritis. Using G61.81 correctly is not just about medical billing; it’s integral to proper patient care, epidemiological tracking, and healthcare research related to CIDP.
