ICD-10 Code I69.020 – Aphasia following nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I69.020 – Aphasia following nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage
What it is
I69.020 identifies aphasia that remains after a nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Use it when language loss is a late effect of the bleed, not an acute hemorrhage diagnosis.
Clinical signs
Patients may have difficulty speaking, understanding speech, reading, or writing. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation, and confirm that aphasia is linked to the prior nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.
When to use this code
Use this code when the record states aphasia is a sequela of a nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. It is appropriate in follow-up care, rehabilitation, or chronic neurologic deficit documentation. You should code the residual language deficit, not the acute bleed, when both are not being treated as current.
Do not use for
Do not use it for aphasia from traumatic brain injury, ischemic stroke, tumor, or other causes. Check documentation if the cause of aphasia is not clearly tied to a nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Coding tip
Look for explicit wording such as “late effect,” “sequela,” or “due to prior subarachnoid hemorrhage” before assigning I69.020.