2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R48Dyslexia and other symbolic dysfunctions, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R47-R49›R48

ICD-10-CM R48
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

R48 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for dyslexia and other symbolic dysfunctions, not elsewhere classified, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as R48.0, R48.1, R48.2, and R48.3. As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R48
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Dyslexia and other symbolic dysfunctions, not elsewhere classified
Short Description
Dyslexia and oth symbolic dysfunctions, NEC
Chapter
R47-R49
Symptoms and signs involving speech and voice

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR47-R49Symptoms and signs involving speech and voice
CategoryR48Dyslexia and other symbolic dysfunctions, not elsewhere classified
This CodeR48Dyslexia and other symbolic dysfunctions, not elsewhere classified

Specific Coding for Dyslexia and oth symbolic dysfunctions, NECOverview

Non-specific codes like R48 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use R48.0 for Dyslexia and alexia

  • Use R48.1 for Agnosia

  • Use R48.2 for Apraxia

  • Use R48.3 for Visual agnosia

  • Use R48.8 for Other symbolic dysfunctions

  • Use R48.9 for Unspecified symbolic dysfunctions

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to R48: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 18. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills (F81.-)

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.

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.

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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 R48Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for dyslexia and other symbolic dysfunctions, not elsewhere classified?

R48 is the ICD-10-CM category for dyslexia and other symbolic dysfunctions, not elsewhere classified, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is R48 a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for dyslexia and other symbolic dysfunctions, not elsewhere classified, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for dyslexia and other symbolic dysfunctions, not elsewhere classified need a more specific code from this category, such as R48.0, R48.1, and R48.2.

Can R48 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the dyslexia and other symbolic dysfunctions, not elsewhere classified is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.

Can R48 be reported with a code from F81?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on R48 lists "specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills (F81.-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).