Episodic and paroxysmal disorders
ICD-10 Codes (194)
G43G43.0G43.00G43.001G43.009G43.01G43.011G43.019G43.1G43.10G43.101G43.109G43.11G43.111G43.119G43.4G43.40G43.401G43.409G43.41G43.411G43.419G43.5G43.50G43.501G43.509G43.51G43.511G43.519G43.6G43.60G43.601G43.609G43.61G43.611G43.619G43.7G43.70G43.701G43.709G43.71G43.711G43.719G43.8G43.80G43.801G43.809G43.81G43.811G43.819G43.82G43.821G43.829G43.83G43.831G43.839G43.9G43.90G43.901G43.909G43.91G43.911G43.919G44G44.0G44.00G44.001G44.009G44.01G44.011G44.019G44.02G44.021G44.029G44.03G44.031G44.039G44.04G44.041G44.049G44.05G44.051G44.059G44.09G44.091G44.099G44.1G44.2G44.20G44.201G44.209G44.21G44.211G44.219G44.22G44.221G44.229G44.3G44.30G44.301G44.309G44.31G44.311G44.319G44.32G44.321G44.329G44.4G44.40G44.41G44.5G44.51G44.52G44.53G44.59G44.8G44.81G44.82G44.83G44.84G44.85G44.86G44.89G45G45.0G45.1G45.2G45.3G45.4G45.8G45.9G46G46.0G46.1G46.2G46.3G46.4G46.5G46.6G46.7G46.8G47G47.0G47.00G47.01G47.09G47.1G47.10G47.11G47.12G47.13G47.14G47.19G47.2G47.20G47.21G47.22G47.23G47.24G47.25G47.26G47.27G47.29G47.3G47.30G47.31G47.32G47.33G47.34G47.35G47.36G47.37G47.39G47.4G47.41G47.411G47.419G47.42G47.421G47.429G47.5G47.50G47.51G47.52G47.53G47.54G47.59G47.6G47.61G47.62G47.63G47.69G47.8G47.9Updates & Changes
FY 2026 Updates
Deleted Codes
No codes deleted in this range for FY 2026
No significant changes for FY 2026
This range maintains stability with current coding practices
Historical Changes
- •FY 2025: Routine maintenance updates with minor terminology clarifications
- •FY 2024: Enhanced specificity requirements for certain code ranges
- •FY 2023: Updated documentation guidelines for improved clarity
Upcoming Changes
- •Proposed updates pending review by Coordination and Maintenance Committee
- •Under consideration: Enhanced digital health integration codes
Implementation Guidance
- •Review all FY 2026 updates for G40-G47 codes before implementation
- •Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
- •Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
- +3 more guidance items...
Range Overview
The G40-G47 range in the ICD-10 code set is dedicated to episodic and paroxysmal disorders. This range includes conditions such as epilepsy, migraines, sleep disorders, and transient cerebral ischemic attacks. These codes are used to document diagnoses for patients experiencing intermittent or sudden occurrences of symptoms, often involving the nervous system.
Key Usage Points:
- •G40 codes are used for various forms of epilepsy and recurrent seizures.
- •G43 codes are used for migraines, including with or without aura.
- •G47 codes cover sleep disorders, including insomnia, hypersomnia, sleep apnea, and circadian rhythm disorders.
- •Transient cerebral ischemic attacks are coded under G45.
- •G44 codes are used for other forms of headache, excluding migraines.
Coding Guidelines
When to Use:
- ✓When a patient is diagnosed with epilepsy, regardless of the specific type.
- ✓When a patient presents with symptoms of a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea or insomnia.
- ✓When a patient experiences a transient ischemic attack.
- ✓When a patient is diagnosed with a migraine, either with or without aura.
- ✓When a patient presents with a headache not classified as a migraine.
When NOT to Use:
- ✗When a patient's symptoms are better explained by another diagnosis.
- ✗When a patient's headache is due to a known cause, such as a head injury.
- ✗When a patient's sleep issues are due to a known cause, such as a psychiatric disorder.
- ✗When a patient's seizures are due to a known cause, such as alcohol withdrawal.
- ✗When a patient's transient symptoms are not due to a cerebral ischemic attack.
Code Exclusions
Always verify exclusions by cross-referencing the patient's symptoms and medical history.
Documentation Requirements
Proper documentation for G40-G47 codes should include a clear diagnosis, details of the patient's symptoms, the frequency and duration of episodes, and any known triggers or exacerbating factors. Any relevant test results should also be included.
Clinical Information:
- •Clear diagnosis of the condition
- •Detailed description of the patient's symptoms
- •Frequency and duration of episodes
- •Known triggers or exacerbating factors
- •Relevant test results
Supporting Evidence:
- •Medical history
- •Physical examination findings
- •Laboratory or imaging results
- •Consultation notes
Good Documentation Example:
Patient diagnosed with sleep apnea after polysomnography showed episodes of apnea and hypopnea. Patient reports excessive daytime sleepiness and loud snoring. G47.33 (Obstructive sleep apnea) is coded.
Poor Documentation Example:
Patient has sleep issues. G47.9 (Sleep disorder, unspecified) is coded.
Common Documentation Errors:
- âš Not specifying the type of condition
- âš Failing to document the frequency or duration of episodes
- âš Not including relevant test results
- âš Using an unspecified code when a more specific code is available
Range Statistics
Coding Complexity
Coding for G40-G47 can be complex due to the need to differentiate between similar conditions, identify the specific type of condition, and determine the cause of the condition. Additionally, these codes often involve conditions with multiple episodes, which can complicate coding. Finally, the G40-G47 code set is subject to changes, requiring coders to stay up-to-date.
Key Factors:
- â–¸Differentiating between similar conditions
- â–¸Identifying the specific type of condition
- â–¸Determining the cause of the condition
- â–¸Coding for conditions with multiple episodes
- â–¸Keeping up with changes to the code set
Specialty Focus
G40-G47 codes are used across several specialties, but are most commonly used in neurology, sleep medicine, and primary care.
Primary Specialties:
Clinical Scenarios:
- • A patient with a history of seizures is diagnosed with epilepsy after an EEG shows abnormal brain activity.
- • A patient presents with severe, throbbing headaches and is diagnosed with migraines after other causes are ruled out.
- • A patient reports difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, and is diagnosed with insomnia after a sleep study.
- • A patient experiences a sudden episode of weakness and slurred speech, and is diagnosed with a transient ischemic attack after a CT scan shows no evidence of stroke.
- • A patient presents with chronic tension headaches not associated with any other condition.
Resources & References
There are several resources available to help with coding for G40-G47, including the official ICD-10 guidelines, clinical reference books, and educational materials.
Official Guidelines:
- ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
- American Academy of Neurology guidelines
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidelines
Clinical References:
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine
- The International Classification of Sleep Disorders
Educational Materials:
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) coding resources
- American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) coding resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I code for a patient with both epilepsy and migraines?
You would use separate codes for each condition. For example, you might use G40.9 for the epilepsy and G43.0 for the migraines.
What if a patient's sleep disorder is due to a psychiatric condition?
In this case, you would use a code from the F51 range, not the G47 range.