Amnestic disorder due to known physiological condition

This code represents a memory impairment primarily affecting the ability to learn new information or recall previously learned information, directly resulting from a specific, identifiable physiological condition. This condition is distinct from normal age-related memory decline and is not attributable to a mental disorder or substance use, though substance-induced Korsakov's is an Excludes2.

Use this code when documentation clearly links an amnestic syndrome to a known medical condition, such as head trauma, stroke, anoxia, encephalitis, or other neurological diseases. The patient exhibits significant memory deficits that interfere with daily functioning, and a physiological cause has been established through diagnostic workup.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states a physiological cause for the amnesia; otherwise, consider R41.3 (amnesia NOS).
• Carefully review the Excludes1 and Excludes2 notes to avoid miscoding dissociative amnesia or substance-induced Korsakov's syndrome.
• Always code the underlying physiological condition first, followed by this code, as it is a manifestation of the primary medical illness.