ICD-10 Code I69.321 – Dysphasia following cerebral infarction (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I69.321 – Dysphasia following cerebral infarction
What it is
I69.321 identifies dysphasia that remains after a cerebral infarction, meaning a communication language problem caused by prior stroke damage. Use it when the record links the language deficit to the infarct.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly, you may see impaired word finding, reduced comprehension, or difficulty speaking after stroke, with the deficit described as residual and related to cerebral infarction.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents dysphasia as a late effect or residual of a cerebral infarction. It fits follow-up encounters where the stroke is no longer acute, but the language deficit persists. If the chart does not clearly connect the dysphasia to infarction, check documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use it for acute stroke with active dysphasia, or for language problems from another cause such as trauma, tumor, or dementia. If the post-stroke relationship is not stated, do not assume it.
Coding tip
Code the residual condition first and verify the documentation shows it is a sequela of cerebral infarction.