2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R40.2221Coma scale, best verbal response, incomprehensible words, in the field [EMT or ambulance]

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R40-R46›R40

ICD-10-CM R40.2221
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R40.2221 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for coma scale, best verbal response, incomprehensible words, in the field [EMT or ambulance]. The 7th character 1 reports a Glasgow coma scale score recorded in the field by EMT or ambulance personnel. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). The code is not accepted as a principal diagnosis by the Medicare Code Editor. 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 Nervous system signs and symptoms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R40.2221
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Coma scale, best verbal response, incomprehensible words, in the field [EMT or ambulance]
Short Description
Coma scale, best verb, incomprehensible words, in the field
Parent Code
R40.222
Coma scale, best verbal response, incomprehensible words

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR40-R46Symptoms and signs involving cognition, perception, emotional state and behavior
CategoryR40Somnolence, stupor and coma
This CodeR40.2221Coma scale, best verbal response, incomprehensible words, in the field [EMT or ambulance]

Code EditsBilling

Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for R40.2221.

Unacceptable principal diagnosis
There are selected codes that describe a circumstance which influences an individual's health status but not a current illness or injury, or codes that are not specific manifestations but may be due to an underlying cause. These codes are considered unacceptable as a principal diagnosis.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR SYM010
Nervous system signs and symptoms
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No

Convert R40.2221 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
780.01 Coma
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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About R40.2221Overview

Is R40.2221 (Coma scale, best verbal response, incomprehensible words) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report coma scale, best verbal response, incomprehensible words, in the field [EMT or ambulance] on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character 1 in R40.2221 mean?

The final character 1 reports a Glasgow coma scale score recorded in the field by EMT or ambulance personnel, in this case involving the coma scale, best verbal response, incomprehensible words.

Can R40.2221 be a principal diagnosis?

No. The Medicare Code Editor rejects this code as a principal diagnosis because coma scale, best verbal response, incomprehensible words, in the field [EMT or ambulance] describes a circumstance that influences health status rather than a current illness. Report it as a secondary diagnosis.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R40.2221?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, coma scale, best verbal response, incomprehensible words, in the field [EMT or ambulance] converts to ICD-9-CM 780.01 (coma). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.