2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Q01Encephalocele

ICD-10-CM Codes›Q00-Q99›Q00-Q07›Q01

ICD-10-CM Q01
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

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
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

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Includes

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

Type 1 Excludes

  • Meckel-Gruber syndrome Q61.9

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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About Q01Overview

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.