2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Q01Encephalocele

ICD-10-CM Codes›Q00-Q99›Q00-Q07›Q01

ICD-10-CM Q01
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

Q01 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for encephalocele, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as Q01.0, Q01.1, Q01.2, and Q01.8.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Q01
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Encephalocele
Short Description
Encephalocele
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
Q00-Q07
Congenital malformations of the nervous system

Code Classification

ChapterQ00-Q99Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities
SectionQ00-Q07Congenital malformations of the nervous system
CategoryQ01Encephalocele
This CodeQ01Encephalocele

Specific Coding for EncephaloceleOverview

Non-specific codes like Q01 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use Q01.0 for Frontal encephalocele

  • Use Q01.1 for Nasofrontal encephalocele

  • Use Q01.2 for Occipital encephalocele

  • Use Q01.8 for Encephalocele of other sites

  • Use Q01.9 for Encephalocele, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to Q01: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 17. 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.

  • Arnold-Chiari syndrome, type III
  • encephalocystocele
  • encephalomyelocele
  • hydroencephalocele
  • hydromeningocele, cranial
  • meningocele, cerebral
  • meningoencephalocele

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • Meckel-Gruber syndrome (Q61.9)

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 17 (Q00-QA1) Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities applies to 900 codes
  • inborn errors of metabolism (E70-E88)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 17 (Q00-QA1) Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities applies to 900 codes
  • Codes from this chapter are not for use on maternal records

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name Q01, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming Q01: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • Q07.0 Arnold-Chiari syndrome
    Arnold-Chiari syndrome, type III (Q01.-)
  • Q75 Other congenital malformations of skull and face bones
    encephalocele (Q01.-)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Encephalocele

    brain tissue herniation through a congenital or acquired defect in the skull. the majority of congenital encephaloceles occur in the occipital or frontal regions. clinical features include a protuberant mass that may be pulsatile. the quantity and location of protruding neural tissue determines the type and degree of neurologic deficit. visual defects, psychomotor developmental delay, and persistent motor deficits frequently occur.

Patient EducationClinical

Neural Tube Defects

Neural tube defects are birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. They happen in the first month of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows that she is pregnant. The two most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly. In spina bifida, the fetal spinal column doesn't close completely.

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 Q01Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for encephalocele?

Q01 is the ICD-10-CM category for encephalocele, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is Q01 (Encephalocele) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for encephalocele, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for encephalocele need a more specific code from this category, such as Q01.0, Q01.1, and Q01.2.

Can Q01 be reported with Q61.9?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on Q01 lists "Meckel-Gruber syndrome (Q61.9)". 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).