Basic information on Headache ICD 10 code R51.9

Headache is very common symptoms for many disorders. R51.9 is the billable diagnosis code for Headache in ICD 10 coding. Its corresponding ICD-9 code is 784.0. Headache following lumbar puncture is assigned to code G97.1, Other reaction to spinal or lumbar puncture.

Description of Headache Diagnosis Code in ICD 10 codebook

R51 Headache
Excludes2: atypical face pain (G50.1)
migraine and other headache syndromes (G43-G44)
trigeminal neuralgia (G50.0)

R51.0 Headache with orthostatic component, not elsewhere classified
Headache with positional component, not elsewhere classified
R51.9 Headache, unspecified
Facial pain NOS

Do not code Headache along with Migraine ICD 10 code. Migraine itself is a severe headache disorder, hence it includes head pain. So, in this case on Migraine will be enough to code.

Read also: GERD ICD 10 coding guidelines for coders

Procedure or CPT codes related to diagnosis code Headache (R51.9)

When we have headache, the procedure performed will be majority related to brain and head. So, you might get mostly X-ray, CT or MRI of head/Brain exams done in radiology facility.

Also, now headache is a symptom for Covid-19 disease, hence any screening test can be done for COVID-19 if a patient has headache along with SOB and cough.