Acute lymphoblastic leukemia not having achieved remission

This code represents a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that has not yet responded to treatment or achieved a state of remission. ALL is a rapidly progressing cancer of the blood and bone marrow, characterized by an overproduction of immature lymphocytes. This specific code indicates the disease is still active and has not entered a period of disease abatement.

Use this code for patients newly diagnosed with ALL or those whose ALL has relapsed and is currently active without having achieved remission. Documentation should clearly state "acute lymphoblastic leukemia" and explicitly indicate that the patient is "not in remission" or that remission has "not been achieved." This code is appropriate during the initial treatment phase or during subsequent treatment for relapse.

• Do not use this code if the patient is in remission, even if they are still receiving maintenance therapy.
• Distinguish carefully between ALL not in remission and ALL in remission (C91.01) or ALL in relapse (C91.02).
• Always sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter, unless another condition is explicitly stated as the primary reason for admission.