2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G44.85Primary stabbing headache

ICD-10-CM Codes›G00–G99›G40-G47›G44

ICD-10-CM G44.85
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

G44.85 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for primary stabbing headache. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 102 through 103. Coders also document this condition as idiopathic stabbing headache. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Headache; including migraine.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
G44.85
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Primary stabbing headache
Short Description
Primary stabbing headache
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
G44.8
Other specified headache syndromes

Code Classification

ChapterG00–G99Diseases of the nervous system
SectionG40-G47Episodic and paroxysmal disorders
CategoryG44Other headache syndromes
This CodeG44.85Primary stabbing headache

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Idiopathic stabbing headache

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Headache
      • primary
        • stabbing
    • Headache
      • stabbing (primary)

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR NVS010
Headache; including migraine
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Headache

Almost everyone has had a headache. Headache is the most common form of pain. It's a major reason people miss days at work or school or visit the doctor.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert G44.85 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
339.85 Prim stabbing headache
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About G44.85Overview

Is G44.85 (Other specified headache syndromes) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report primary stabbing headache on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does G44.85 group to?

When primary stabbing headache is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 102, 103, with relative weights from 0.8363 to 1.1209 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of G44.85?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, primary stabbing headache converts to ICD-9-CM 339.85 (prim stabbing headache). The mapping is a direct match.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.