Intellectual disabilities (F70-F79) ICD-10-CM
The F70–F79 section covers intellectual disabilities with 9 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes, of which 7 are billable in fiscal year 2026. The section is organized into the 6 code ranges listed below.
Code First
Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation.
- any associated physical or developmental disorders
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.
- borderline intellectual functioning, IQ above 70 to 84 R41.83
Code Ranges in This Section 6 ranges · 9 codes
The info icon previews the code ranges inside each row and its instructional notations from the official Tabular List.
About the F70–F79 Code Range
ICD-10 codes F70-F79 are used to classify various levels and types of intellectual disabilities, capturing conditions ranging from mild to profound impairments in intellectual functioning. These codes help specify the severity and genetic or unspecified causes of intellectual disability for accurate diagnosis and care.
This range begins with F70 for mild intellectual disabilities, commonly recognized under synonyms like mild intellectual disability syndrome. F71 and F72 refer to moderate and severe intellectual disabilities, respectively, including associated syndromes such as severe intellectual disability with behavioral and motor abnormalities. Profound intellectual disabilities fall under F73. The codes F78 and its subcodes, including F78.A1, cover other intellectual disabilities, especially those linked to specific genetic causes like SYNGAP1-related intellectual disability, encompassing a wide range of rare genetic syndromes characterized by developmental delays and neurological symptoms. Finally, F79 codes are for unspecified intellectual disabilities, addressing cases with clinical features such as congenital malformations, neurodevelopmental delays, and complex syndromic presentations without a precise diagnosis. These codes guide healthcare providers and medical coders in cataloging detailed neurodevelopmental disorders and assist in treatment planning and epidemiological tracking.
Questions About This Page
How many codes are in the F70-F79 range?
The F70-F79 range contains 9 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes in FY 2026. 7 of them are billable, and the rest are category headers that organize the section.
What conditions does F70-F79 cover?
The range covers intellectual disabilities. The code ranges listed above break it into groups of related conditions, and each one links to its own page with the full code list.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
