R53.1: Weakness

R53.1, weakness, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 7 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 28 HCPCS Level II codes, including C8900 (Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, abdomen), C8901 (Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, abdomen), C8902 (Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed…). The articles come from 5 Medicare contractors. A listed diagnosis supports medical necessity only; coverage still depends on the LCD's criteria and on documentation in the medical record.

HCPCS Level II codes with R53.1 as a covered diagnosis

CodeDescriptionMedicare coverageDMEPOS fee 2026 (state range)Articles listing it
C8900Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, abdomenSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8901Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, abdomenSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8902Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed by with contrast, abdomenSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8909Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, chest (excluding myocardium)Special coverage instructions apply—1
C8910Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, chest (excluding myocardium)Special coverage instructions apply—1
C8911Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed by with contrast, chest (excluding myocardium)Special coverage instructions apply—1
C8912Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, lower extremitySpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8913Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, lower extremitySpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8914Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed by with contrast, lower extremitySpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8918Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, pelvisSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8919Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, pelvisSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8920Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed by with contrast, pelvisSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8931Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, spinal canal and contentsSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8932Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, spinal canal and contentsSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8933Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed by with contrast, spinal canal and contentsSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8934Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, upper extremitySpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8935Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, upper extremitySpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8936Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed by with contrast, upper extremitySpecial coverage instructions apply—1
G2187Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: head traumaCarrier judgment—1
G2188Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: new or change in headache above 50 years of ageCarrier judgment—1
G2189Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: abnormal neurologic examCarrier judgment—1
G2190Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: headache radiating to the neckCarrier judgment—1
G2191Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: positional headachesCarrier judgment—1
G2192Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: temporal headaches in patients over 55 years of ageCarrier judgment—1
G2193Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: new onset headache in pre-school children or younger (<6 years of age)Carrier judgment—1

3 more codes are listed. See every code with payment by region in Caduvo.

Medicare policy articles listing R53.1

A diagnosis listed as covered in a billing and coding article supports medical necessity for the article's codes; it does not guarantee payment. Coverage depends on the LCD's criteria, the contractor's jurisdiction and documentation in the medical record.

Other R53 diagnoses (Malaise and fatigue)

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare cover R53.1 (Weakness)?

Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 7 Medicare billing and coding articles list R53.1 as a covered diagnosis for 28 HCPCS Level II codes: the diagnosis can support medical necessity for those codes, but payment still depends on the LCD's coverage criteria and the medical record.

Which HCPCS codes can be billed with ICD-10 R53.1?

The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are C8900 (Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, abdomen, 1 article); C8901 (Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, abdomen, 1 article); C8902 (Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed…, 1 article); C8909 (Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, chest…, 1 article); C8910 (Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, chest…, 1 article). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.

Which Medicare policy articles list R53.1?

A57307 (Billing and Coding: Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography); A57478 (Billing and Coding: Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography); A56747 (Billing and Coding: Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)), and 4 more articles.

What is ICD-10-CM code R53.1?

R53.1 is the ICD-10-CM code for weakness, in category R53 (Malaise and fatigue), chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal findings.

Next steps

Sources: CMS Medicare Coverage Database billing and coding articles (covered ICD-10 code lists and HCPCS links); ICD-10-CM FY2026; CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule 2026 (non-rural state fees). Not billing or legal advice.

Chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal findings · All diagnoses · HCPCS lookup