2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code F81.0Specific reading disorder
ICD-10-CM Codes›F01–F99›F80-F89›F81
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Chronic Condition
F81.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for specific reading disorder. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 886. Coders also document this condition as basic learning problem. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Neurodevelopmental disorders.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Basic learning problem
- Basic learning problem in reading
- Developmental dyslexia
- Developmental reading disorder
- Difficulty reading
- Dyslexia
- Finding related to ability to read
- Specific reading disorder
Instructional NotesGuidance
Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to F81.0: 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.
- disorders of psychological development
Applicable To
Conditions this code is used for: synonyms of the title or, for "other specified" codes, the conditions assigned to it. The list is not exhaustive.
- 'Backward reading'
- Developmental dyslexia
- Specific learning disorder, with impairment in reading
- Specific reading retardation
Excludes1
Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
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.
Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.
Referenced in Other NotesGuidance
Instructional notes printed at other codes that name F81.0, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes1 2
These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming F81.0: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
Excludes2 1
These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming F81.0: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.
- F81.2 Mathematics disorderarithmetical difficulties associated with a reading disorder (F81.0)
Code Also 2
These codes say F81.0 may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.
- G93.45 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathydevelopmental disorders of scholastic skills (F81.-) names F81.-, which includes this code
- Z15.1 Genetic susceptibility to epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disordersdevelopmental disorders of scholastic skills (F81.-) names F81.-, which includes this code
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
developmental F81.0
Disorder (of) See Also: Disease;
developmental (specific) F81.0
reading F81.0
developmental F81.0
Mirror writing F81.0
Strephosymbolia F81.0
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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.
Convert F81.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About F81.0Overview
What is the ICD-10 code for specific reading disorder?
The ICD-10-CM code for specific reading disorder is F81.0 (sometimes written as F810). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is F81.0 (Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report specific reading disorder on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What MS-DRG does F81.0 group to?
When specific reading disorder is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 886 (behavioral and Developmental Disorders), which carries a relative weight of 1.6455. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Can F81.0 be reported with R48.0?
Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on F81.0 lists "alexia NOS (R48.0)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of F81.0?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, specific reading disorder converts to ICD-9-CM 315.00 (reading disorder NOS) and 315.02 (developmental dyslexia). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
