ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for brain softening
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Softening › brain (necrotic) (progressive)”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding brain softening
The ICD-10-CM code for brain softening is G93.89 (Other specified disorders of brain). The official index lists 4 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on G93.89.
Within G93.8, choose G93.89 (Other specified disorders of brain) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: temporal sclerosis (G93.81) and brain death (G93.82).
It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 070 (Other Cerebrovascular Disorders with MCC, relative weight 1.6093), DRG 071 (Other Cerebrovascular Disorders with CC, relative weight 1.0177) and DRG 072 (Other Cerebrovascular Disorders without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.7348), in MDC 01 (Diseases and Disorders of the Nervous System), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
More specific brain softening codes (official index)
- congenital Q04.8 — Other specified congenital malformations of brain
- embolic I63.4 — Cerebral infarction due to embolism of cerebral arteries
- hemorrhagic
- occlusive I63.5 — Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of cerebral arteries
- thrombotic I63.3 — Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of cerebral arteries
Common questions about brain softening ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for brain softening?
- G93.89 — Other specified disorders of brain. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: Q04.8, I63.4, I63.5, I63.3.
What is the ICD-10 code for congenital brain softening?
- Q04.8 — Other specified congenital malformations of brain.
What is the ICD-10 code for embolic brain softening?
- I63.4 — Cerebral infarction due to embolism of cerebral arteries (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for occlusive brain softening?
- I63.5 — Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of cerebral arteries (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for thrombotic brain softening?
- I63.3 — Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of cerebral arteries (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
Is G93.89 billable?
- Yes. G93.89 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can G93.89 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict G93.89 as a principal diagnosis.
Is G93.89 a CC or MCC?
- No. G93.89 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.