2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R41.844Frontal lobe and executive function deficit

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R40-R46›R41

ICD-10-CM R41.844
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R41.844 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for frontal lobe and executive function deficit. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established. Coders also document this condition as impaired executive functioning. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Nervous system signs and symptoms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R41.844
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Frontal lobe and executive function deficit
Short Description
Frontal lobe and executive function deficit
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R41.84
Other specified cognitive deficit

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
CategoryR41Other symptoms and signs involving cognitive functions and awareness
This CodeR41.844Frontal lobe and executive function deficit

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Impaired executive functioning

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.

    • Deficit
      • executive function
    • Deficit
      • frontal lobe

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR SYM010
Nervous system signs and symptoms
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Mental Disorders

Mental disorders (or mental illnesses) are conditions that affect your thinking, feeling, mood, and behavior. They may happen over a short period of time or come and go. Some can be chronic (long-lasting). They can affect your ability to relate to others and function each day..

The full article covers:

  • What are mental disorders?
  • What are some types of mental disorders?
  • What causes mental disorders?
  • Who is at risk for mental disorders?
  • How are mental disorders diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for mental disorders?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert R41.844 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
799.55 Frontal lobe deficit
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 R41.844Overview

Is R41.844 (Other specified cognitive deficit) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report frontal lobe and executive function deficit on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Can R41.844 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the frontal lobe and executive function deficit is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R41.844?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, frontal lobe and executive function deficit converts to ICD-9-CM 799.55 (frontal lobe deficit). 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.