ICD 10 Code for Headache
Introduction
A headache is a common symptom that can affect anyone at any age. It can cause pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Headaches can have many different causes, such as stress, illness, injury, or environmental factors. Some headaches are mild and go away on their own, while others are severe and interfere with daily activities.
Headaches are classified into two main types: primary and secondary. Primary headaches are not caused by another medical condition and include migraine, tension-type, and cluster headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by an underlying medical condition or external factor and include sinusitis, brain tumor, medication overuse, or trauma.
ICD 10 Codes for Headache
ICD-10 is the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, a system of codes used by healthcare providers to classify and report diseases, injuries, and health conditions. ICD-10 codes are alphanumeric codes that consist of a letter followed by three or more digits. The codes are organized into chapters based on body systems or types of diseases.
The ICD 10 code for headache are found in Chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99). The code range for headache is R51-R51.9. The most common codes for headache are:
- R51.9 – Headache, unspecified: This code is used for a general or unspecified type of headache that is not further specified by the provider or the patient.
- G43.909 – Migraine, unspecified, not intractable, without status migrainosus: This code is used for a migraine headache that is not characterized by severe or prolonged pain, nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound.
- G44.209 – Tension-type headache, not intractable, without status migrainosus: This code is used for a tension-type headache that is not characterized by severe or prolonged pain, muscle tightness, or pressure in the head or neck.
There are also other codes for specific types of headaches, such as:
- R51.0 – Headache with the orthostatic component, not elsewhere classified: This code is used for a headache that worsens when the patient changes position from lying down to standing up or vice versa.
- G44.1 – Vascular headache, not elsewhere classified: This code is used for a headache that is caused by abnormal blood flow in the brain or its vessels.
- G44.81 – Hypnic headache: This code is used for a headache that occurs only during sleep or upon awakening.
ICD-10 Code for Headache in Pregnancy
| ICD-10 Code | Description |
|---|---|
| O26.891 | Other specified pregnancy-related conditions, first trimester |
| – Headache in pregnancy not caused by malignant neoplasm, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, or other specified conditions in the first trimester (less than 14 weeks of gestation) | |
| O99.89 | Other specified diseases and conditions complicating pregnancy, TEENbirth and the puerperium |
| – Headache in pregnancy caused by malignant neoplasm, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, or other specified conditions, or occurs in the second or third trimester (14 weeks or more of gestation) |
Example Codes for Migraine Headache in the First Trimester:
- O26.891 – Other specified pregnancy-related conditions, first trimester
- G43.909 – Migraine, unspecified, not intractable, without status migrainosus
- Z3A.12 – 12 weeks of gestation
How to Use ICD 10 Code for Headache
ICD-10 codes are used for various purposes in healthcare settings, such as:
- Diagnosis: ICD-10 codes help providers to identify and document the type and cause of the patient’s headache and to communicate it to other providers or specialists.
- Billing: ICD-10 codes help providers to submit claims to insurance companies or other payers and to receive reimbursement for the services provided to the patient.
- Research: ICD-10 codes help researchers to collect and analyze data on the prevalence, incidence, risk factors, outcomes, and costs of different types of headaches.
To use ICD 10 code for headache correctly and accurately, providers should follow these steps:
- When to use ICD-10 codes: Providers should use ICD 10 code for headache when they diagnose a patient with a headache or when they provide treatment or management for a patient with a headache.
- How to find the correct ICD-10 code: Providers should use the ICD-10 manual or an online tool to look up the code that best matches the patient’s condition and symptoms. Providers should also check the coding guidelines and conventions for any additional rules or instructions on how to use the code.
- How to use ICD-10 codes in medical records: Providers should document the ICD 10 code for headache along with the patient’s history, physical examination findings, diagnostic test results, treatment plan, and progress notes in the patient’s medical record.
Using ICD-10 codes for headache can help providers to improve the quality of care and documentation for patients with headaches. It can also help providers to avoid coding errors, claim denials, audits, and penalties. Providers should keep themselves updated on any changes or updates to the ICD-10 codes and guidelines for headache.
References
(1) ICD 10 code for Headache |Diagnosis Codes Headache (2023).
(2) Headache ICD 10 Codes – Coding guidelines with Example – Healthcare Guide.
(3) R51 – Headache – ICD List 2023.
(4) ICD-10 Codes for Headache and Causes of Headache – DocCharge.
(5) Headache Diagnosis Coding (ICD-10) – Veterans Affairs.