1. Home
  2. ICD-10-CM Codes
  3. R00–R99
  4. R50-R69
  5. R56
  6. 2025 ICD-10-CM Code R56

2025 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R56

Convulsions, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Code:
R56
ICD-10 Code for:
Convulsions, not elsewhere classified
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

R56 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of convulsions, not elsewhere classified. 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.

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 Convulsions, not elsewhere classified

Non-specific codes like R56 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 convulsions, not elsewhere classified:

  • R56.0 for Febrile convulsions - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R56.00 for Simple febrile convulsions - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R56.01 for Complex febrile convulsions - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R56.1 for Post traumatic seizures - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R56.9 for Unspecified convulsions - BILLABLE CODE

Code Classification

  • Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
    R00–R99
    • General symptoms and signs
      R50-R69
      • Convulsions, not elsewhere classified
        R56

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 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • dissociative convulsions and seizures F44.5
  • epileptic convulsions and seizures G40
  • newborn convulsions and seizures P90

Patient Education


Seizures

Seizures are symptoms of a brain problem. They happen because of sudden, abnormal electrical activity in the brain. When people think of seizures, they often think of convulsions in which a person's body shakes rapidly and uncontrollably. Not all seizures cause convulsions. There are many types of seizures and some have mild symptoms. Seizures fall into two main groups. Focal seizures, also called partial seizures, happen in just one part of the brain. Generalized seizures are a result of abnormal activity on both sides of the brain.

Most seizures last from 30 seconds to 2 minutes and do not cause lasting harm. However, it is a medical emergency if seizures last longer than 5 minutes or if a person has many seizures and does not wake up between them. Seizures can have many causes, including medicines, high fevers, head injuries and certain diseases. People who have recurring seizures due to a brain disorder have epilepsy.

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 - No Change, 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.