2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code F81Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills

ICD-10-CM Codes›F01–F99›F80-F89›F81

ICD-10-CM F81
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

F81 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as F81.0, F81.2, F81.81, and F81.89.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
F81
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills
Short Description
Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
F80-F89
Pervasive and specific developmental disorders

Code Classification

ChapterF01–F99Mental and behavioural disorders
SectionF80-F89Pervasive and specific developmental disorders
CategoryF81Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills
This CodeF81Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills

Specific Coding for Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skillsOverview

Non-specific codes like F81 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use F81.0 for Specific reading disorder

  • Use F81.2 for Mathematics disorder

  • F81.8 for Other developmental disorders of scholastic skills

  • Use F81.81 for Disorder of written expression

  • Use F81.89 for Other developmental disorders of scholastic skills

  • Use F81.9 for Developmental disorder of scholastic skills, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to F81: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 5. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

From Chapter 5 (F01-F99) Mental and behavioural disorders applies to 872 codes
  • disorders of psychological development

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Chapter 5 (F01-F99) Mental and behavioural disorders applies to 872 codes
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name F81, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming F81: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • R48 Dyslexia and other symbolic dysfunctions, not elsewhere classified
    specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills (F81.-)
  • Z55 Problems related to education and literacy
    disorders of psychological development (F80-F89) names F80-F89, which includes this code

Code Also 2

These codes say F81 may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.

  • G93.45 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
    developmental disorders of scholastic skills (F81.-)
  • Z15.1 Genetic susceptibility to epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders
    developmental disorders of scholastic skills (F81.-)

Patient EducationClinical

Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities are conditions that affect the ability to learn. They can cause problems with:

The full article covers:

  • What is a learning disability?
  • What causes learning disabilities?
  • How are learning disabilities diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for learning disabilities?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About F81Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills?

F81 is the ICD-10-CM category for specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is F81 (Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills need a more specific code from this category, such as F81.0, F81.2, and F81.81.