2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R47.81Slurred speech

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R47-R49›R47

ICD-10-CM R47.81
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R47.81 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for slurred speech. 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 episodic ataxia. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Nervous system signs and symptoms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R47.81
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Slurred speech
Short Description
Slurred speech
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R47.8
Other speech disturbances

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR47-R49Symptoms and signs involving speech and voice
CategoryR47Speech disturbances, not elsewhere classified
This CodeR47.81Slurred speech

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Episodic ataxia
  • Episodic ataxia with slurred speech
  • Finding of intelligibility of articulation
  • Slurred speech
  • Unintelligible articulation

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.

    • Impediment, speech
      • slurring
    • Slurred, slurring speech
    • Speech
      • defect, disorder, disturbance, impediment
        • slurring

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

Speech and Communication Disorders

Many disorders can affect our ability to speak and communicate. They range from saying sounds incorrectly to being completely unable to speak or understand speech. Causes include:

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert R47.81 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

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

Questions About R47.81Overview

Is R47.81 (Other speech disturbances) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report slurred speech on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Can R47.81 be a principal diagnosis?

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

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R47.81?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, slurred speech converts to ICD-9-CM 784.59 (speech disturbance NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

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.