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  6. 2025 ICD-10-CM Code R51

2025 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R51

Headache

ICD-10-CM Code:
R51
ICD-10 Code for:
Headache
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Not chronic
Code Navigator:

R51 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of headache. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2025 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

The code is commonly used in family practice, internal medicine , pediatrics medical specialties to specify clinical concepts such as headache.

According to ICD-10-CM guidelines this code should not to be used as a principal diagnosis code when a related definitive diagnosis has been established.

Specific Coding Applicable to Headache

Non-specific codes like R51 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for headache:

  • Use R51.0 for Headache with orthostatic component, not elsewhere classified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R51.9 for Headache, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

Code Classification

  • Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
    R00–R99

Clinical Classification

Clinical Classifications group individual ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes into broader, clinically meaningful categories. These categories help simplify complex data by organizing related conditions under common clinical themes.

They are especially useful for data analysis, reporting, and clinical decision-making. Even when diagnosis codes differ, similar conditions can be grouped together based on their clinical relevance. Each category is assigned a unique CCSR code that represents a specific clinical concept, often tied to a body system or medical specialty.

Headache; including migraine

CCSR Code: NVS010

Inpatient Default: Y - Yes, default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.

Outpatient Default: Y - Yes, default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.

Nervous system signs and symptoms

CCSR Code: SYM010

Inpatient Default: N - Not default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.

Outpatient Default: N - Not default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.

Clinical Information

  • Cluster Headache

    a primary headache disorder that is characterized by severe, strictly unilateral pain which is orbital, supraorbital, temporal or in any combination of these sites, lasting 15-180 min. occurring 1 to 8 times a day. the attacks are associated with one or more of the following, all of which are ipsilateral: conjunctival injection, lacrimation, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, facial sweating, eyelid edema, and miosis. (international classification of headache disorders, 2nd ed. cephalalgia 2004: suppl 1)

  • Headache

    the symptom of pain in the cranial region. it may be an isolated benign occurrence or manifestation of a wide variety of headache disorders.

  • Headache Disorders

    various conditions with the symptom of headache. headache disorders are classified into major groups, such as primary headache disorders (based on characteristics of their headache symptoms) and secondary headache disorders (based on their etiologies). (international classification of headache disorders, 2nd ed. cephalalgia 2004: suppl 1)

  • Headache Disorders, Primary

    conditions in which the primary symptom is headache and the headache cannot be attributed to any known causes.

  • Headache Disorders, Secondary

    conditions with headache symptom that can be attributed to a variety of causes including brain vascular disorders; wounds and injuries; infection; drug use or its withdrawal.

  • Migraine Disorders

    a class of disabling primary headache disorders, characterized by recurrent unilateral pulsatile headaches. the two major subtypes are common migraine (without aura) and classic migraine (with aura or neurological symptoms). (international classification of headache disorders, 2nd ed. cephalalgia 2004: suppl 1)

  • Post-Dural Puncture Headache

    a secondary headache disorder attributed to low cerebrospinal fluid pressure caused by spinal puncture, usually after dural or lumbar puncture.

  • Post-Traumatic Headache

    secondary headache attributed to trauma of the head and/or the neck.

  • Tension-Type Headache

    a common primary headache disorder, characterized by a dull, non-pulsatile, diffuse, band-like (or vice-like) pain of mild to moderate intensity in the head; scalp; or neck. the subtypes are classified by frequency and severity of symptoms. there is no clear cause even though it has been associated with muscle contraction and stress. (international classification of headache disorders, 2nd ed. cephalalgia 2004: suppl 1)

  • Vascular Headaches

    secondary headache disorders attributed to a variety of cranial or cervical vascular disorders, such as brain ischemia; intracranial hemorrhages; and central nervous system vascular malformations.

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
  • atypical face pain G50.1
  • migraine and other headache syndromes G43 G44
  • trigeminal neuralgia G50.0

Convert R51 to ICD-9-CM

Below are the ICD-9 codes that most closely match this ICD-10 code, based on the General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs). This ICD-10 to ICD-9 crosswalk tool is helpful for coders who need to reference legacy diagnosis codes for audits, historical claims, or approximate code comparisons.

Headache

ICD-9-CM: 784.0

Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means this ICD-10 code does not have an exact ICD-9 equivalent. The matched code is the closest available option, but it may not fully capture the original diagnosis or clinical intent.

View Conversion

Patient Education


Headache

Almost everyone has had a headache. Headache is the most common form of pain. It's a major reason people miss days at work or school or visit the doctor.

The most common type of headache is a tension headache. Tension headaches are due to tight muscles in your shoulders, neck, scalp and jaw. They are often related to stress, depression or anxiety. You are more likely to get tension headaches if you work too much, don't get enough sleep, miss meals, or use alcohol.

Other common types of headaches include migraines, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches. Most people can feel much better by making lifestyle changes, learning ways to relax and taking pain relievers.

Not all headaches require a doctor's attention. But sometimes headaches warn of a more serious disorder. Let your health care provider know if you have sudden, severe headaches. Get medical help right away if you have a headache after a blow to your head, or if you have a headache along with a stiff neck, fever, confusion, loss of consciousness, or pain in the eye or ear.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - Code Deleted, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.

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.