2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R48.0Dyslexia and alexia

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R47-R49›R48

ICD-10-CM R48.0
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R48.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for dyslexia and alexia. 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. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Nervous system signs and symptoms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R48.0
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Dyslexia and alexia
Short Description
Dyslexia and alexia
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R48
Dyslexia and other symbolic dysfunctions, not elsewhere classified

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 CodeR48.0Dyslexia and alexia

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Alexia
  • Alexia and agraphia present
  • Aphasia, agnosia, dyslexia AND/OR apraxia
  • Cluttering
  • Cortical alexia
  • Deep dyslexia
  • Dyslexia
  • Dyslexia AND/OR speech dysfunction
  • Dyslogia
  • Motor alexia
  • Musical alexia
  • Phonological dyslexia
  • Subcortical alexia
  • Surface dyslexia

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.

    • Agraphia(absolute)
      • with alexia
    • Alexia
    • Alexia
      • secondary to organic lesion
    • Blindness(acquired) (congenital) (both eyes)
      • word (developmental)
        • acquired
    • Blindness(acquired) (congenital) (both eyes)
      • word (developmental)
        • secondary to organic lesion
    • Disorder(of)
      • learning (specific)
        • alexia
    • Disorder(of)
      • reading
    • Dyslexia

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

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Dyslexia

    a cognitive disorder characterized by an impaired ability to comprehend written and printed words or phrases despite intact vision. this condition may be developmental or acquired. developmental dyslexia is marked by reading achievement that falls substantially below that expected given the individual's chronological age, measured intelligence, and age-appropriate education. the disturbance in reading significantly interferes with academic achievement or with activities of daily living that require reading skills. (from dsm-iv)

  • Dyslexia, Acquired

    a receptive visual aphasia characterized by the loss of a previously possessed ability to comprehend the meaning or significance of handwritten words, despite intact vision. this condition may be associated with posterior cerebral artery infarction (infarction, posterior cerebral artery) and other brain diseases.

  • Dyslexia

    a learning disorder characterized by an impairment in processing written words. reading difficulties can include distortions, omissions or substitutions of characters. oral and silent reading difficulties can include faulty and slow comprehension.

Patient EducationClinical

Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities are conditions that affect the ability to learn. They can cause problems with:

The full article covers:

  • What is a learning disability?
  • What causes learning disabilities?
  • How are learning disabilities diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for learning disabilities?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert R48.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
315.01 Alexia
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
784.61 Alexia and dyslexia
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 R48.0Overview

Is R48.0 a billable code?

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

Can R48.0 be a principal diagnosis?

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

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R48.0?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, dyslexia and alexia converts to ICD-9-CM 315.01 (alexia) and 784.61 (alexia and dyslexia). 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.