ICD-10 Code G93.82 – Brain death (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G93.82 – Brain death
What it is
G93.82 identifies brain death, a clinical diagnosis of irreversible cessation of all brain function. Use it when documentation clearly states brain death has been determined.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Standard references describe coma, absent brainstem reflexes, and apnea testing consistent with brain death, but you should code only what is documented.
When to use this code
Use G93.82 when the provider documents brain death as the final diagnosis, such as after a formal neurologic examination or institutional brain-death determination. It may appear in end-of-life records, organ donation evaluations, or death summaries. If the chart only says “unresponsive” or “severe neurologic injury,” check documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for coma, vegetative state, or other severe neurologic impairment without a documented brain-death determination. It is also not for general death certification without specific brain-death documentation.
Coding tip
Confirm that the record explicitly states brain death; if the wording is unclear, query the provider before assigning G93.82.