Basics of Myasthenia gravis ICD 10 code

In myasthenia gravis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the connections between the nerve fibers and the muscles, preventing the muscles from receiving signals from the brain. It normally presents with muscle weakness in specific locations rather than general fatigue, and in two-thirds of patients, the first muscles affected are those controlling the eyes, according to the National Association of Rare Disorders. We will learn about Myasthenia gravis ICD 10 code used by coders as per ICD 10 code coding guidelines.

ICD-10 code G70.00 for Myasthenia gravis without (acute) exacerbation is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range – Diseases of the nervous system .

G70.01 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

Signs and symptoms

Common symptoms of myasthenia gravis are:

• Facial muscle weakness
• Muscle weakness and fatigue may vary rapidly in intensity over days or even hours and worsen as muscles are used
• Trouble swallowing or pronouncing words
• Visual problems, including drooping eyelids (ptosis) and double vision (diplopia)
• Weakness of the neck or limbs

Treatment

There is no cure for myasthenia gravis, so treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms of the condition. According to John Hopkin’s Medicine, treatment options for myasthenia gravis are:

• Immunoglobulin. This blood product helps decrease the immune system’s attack on the nervous system. 
• Medicine. Steroids or immunosuppressive medicines may be used.
• Plasmapheresis. This procedure removes abnormal antibodies from the blood and replaces them with normal antibodies from donated blood.
• Thymectomy. Surgical removal of the thymus gland can improve symptoms of the disorder.

ICD-10-CM coding

The following ICD-10-CM codes are used to report myasthenia gravis:

• G70.00, myasthenia gravis without (acute) exacerbation
• G70.01, myasthenia gravis with (acute) exacerbation

When myasthenia gravis is not documented as with or without exacerbation (no exacerbation is specified), assign code G70.00.