ICD-10 code for congenital hydrocephalus

The ICD-10-CM code for congenital hydrocephalus is Q03.9 (Congenital hydrocephalus, unspecified). The official index lists 9 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on Q03.9.

Within Q03, choose Q03.9 (unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: malformations of aqueduct of Sylvius (Q03.0), atresia of foramina of Magendie and Luschka (Q03.1) and other congenital hydrocephalus (Q03.8).

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 091 (Other Disorders of Nervous System with MCC, relative weight 1.7046), DRG 092 (Other Disorders of Nervous System with CC, relative weight 1.0239), DRG 093 (Other Disorders of Nervous System without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.7783), DRG 791 (Prematurity with Major Problems, relative weight 4.1075) and DRG 793 (Full Term Neonate with Major Problems, relative weight 4.2195), in MDC 01 (Diseases and Disorders of the Nervous System) and MDC 15 (Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.