2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R29.6Repeated falls

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R25-R29›R29

ICD-10-CM R29.6
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

R29.6 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for repeated falls. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 91 through 93. As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other general signs and symptoms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R29.6
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Repeated falls
Short Description
Repeated falls
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R29
Other symptoms and signs involving the nervous and musculoskeletal systems

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR25-R29Symptoms and signs involving the nervous and musculoskeletal systems
CategoryR29Other symptoms and signs involving the nervous and musculoskeletal systems
This CodeR29.6Repeated falls

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Crumples to floor
  • Elderly fall
  • Falls
  • Falls caused by medication
  • Falls infrequently
  • Falls like log
  • Finding of frequency of falls
  • Legs give way - falling
  • Recurrent falls
  • Reduction in number of falls
  • Unexplained falls
  • Unexplained recurrent falls

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to R29.6: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 18. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

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.

  • Falling
  • Tendency to fall

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.

On R29.6 itself
From Chapter 18 (R00-R99) Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified applies to 774 codes
  • abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • signs and symptoms classified in the body system chapters
  • signs and symptoms of breast (N63, N64.5)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 18 (R00-R99) Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified applies to 774 codes
  • This chapter includes symptoms, signs, abnormal results of clinical or other investigative procedures, and ill-defined conditions regarding which no diagnosis classifiable elsewhere is recorded.
  • Signs and symptoms that point rather definitely to a given diagnosis have been assigned to a category in other chapters of the classification. In general, categories in this chapter include the less well-defined conditions and symptoms that, without the necessary study of the case to establish a final diagnosis, point perhaps equally to two or more diseases or to two or more systems of the body. Practically all categories in the chapter could be designated 'not otherwise specified', 'unknown etiology' or 'transient'. The Alphabetical Index should be consulted to determine which symptoms and signs are to be allocated here and which to other chapters. The residual subcategories, numbered .8, are generally provided for other relevant symptoms that cannot be allocated elsewhere in the classification.
  • The conditions and signs or symptoms included in categories R00-R94 consist of:
  • (a) cases for which no more specific diagnosis can be made even after all the facts bearing on the case have been investigated;
  • (b) signs or symptoms existing at the time of initial encounter that proved to be transient and whose causes could not be determined;
  • (c) provisional diagnosis in a patient who failed to return for further investigation or care;
  • (d) cases referred elsewhere for investigation or treatment before the diagnosis was made;
  • (e) cases in which a more precise diagnosis was not available for any other reason;
  • (f) certain symptoms, for which supplementary information is provided, that represent important problems in medical care in their own right.

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name R29.6, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming R29.6: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • R26.2 Difficulty in walking, not elsewhere classified
    falling (R29.6)

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR SYM016
Other general signs and symptoms
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Falls

Falls can be dangerous at any age. Babies and young children can get hurt falling off furniture or down the stairs. Older children may fall off playground equipment. For older adults, falls can be especially serious. They are at higher risk of falling.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert R29.6 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
781.99 Nerve/musculskel sym NEC
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 R29.6Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for repeated falls?

The ICD-10-CM code for repeated falls is R29.6 (sometimes written as R296). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is R29.6 a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report repeated falls on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does R29.6 group to?

When repeated falls is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 91, 92, 93, with relative weights from 0.7783 to 1.7050 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can R29.6 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the repeated falls is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R29.6?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, repeated falls converts to ICD-9-CM 781.99 (nerve/musculskel sym NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.