Absence epileptic syndrome, intractable, w stat epi

This code identifies a severe form of absence epilepsy characterized by frequent, brief episodes of impaired consciousness, which are difficult to control with medication (intractable). The patient is also experiencing status epilepticus, a prolonged or recurrent seizure state without full recovery of consciousness between episodes.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of absence epileptic syndrome that is resistant to treatment and is currently complicated by status epilepticus. This typically involves patients with a history of absence seizures who are experiencing a medical emergency due to continuous or rapidly recurring seizures.

• Ensure documentation specifies "absence epileptic syndrome" and not another type of epilepsy.
• Verify both "intractable" and "with status epilepticus" are explicitly stated or clearly implied by the clinical context.
• This code should be sequenced as the primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter.