ICD-10 Code I65.2 – Occlusion and stenosis of carotid artery (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I65.2 – Occlusion and stenosis of carotid artery
What it is
I65.2 identifies narrowing or blockage of the carotid artery, usually from atherosclerotic disease. It is used when documentation specifies carotid occlusion or stenosis without a more specific laterality or cause.
Clinical signs
Patients may have no symptoms or may show transient neurologic deficits, such as weakness, speech changes, or visual disturbance. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use I65.2 when the record clearly documents carotid artery occlusion or stenosis and no alternate, more specific code applies. It fits imaging-confirmed disease, specialist assessment, or problem-list entries that describe carotid narrowing. Check documentation for laterality and any related cerebrovascular event.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for carotid artery dissection, aneurysm, or acute stroke without documented carotid occlusion or stenosis. If the note is nonspecific, check documentation.
Coding tip
Confirm whether the provider documented stenosis, occlusion, or both, and look for a more specific carotid code before assigning I65.2.