Other trigeminal autonomic cephalggias (TAC), intractable
ICD-10 G44.091 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of other trigeminal autonomic cephalggias (tac), intractable.
G44.091 refers to a subset of headache disorders known as trigeminal autonomic cephalgias (TAC), which are characterized by unilateral head pain associated with autonomic symptoms such as lacrimation, nasal congestion, and ptosis. The term 'intractable' indicates that the condition is resistant to standard treatment protocols, leading to significant patient distress and impairment. TAC encompasses conditions like cluster headaches and paroxysmal hemicrania, but G44.091 specifically captures those cases that do not fit neatly into these categories. Patients may experience frequent, debilitating attacks that can last from 15 minutes to several hours. Triggers for these headaches can include alcohol consumption, changes in sleep patterns, and environmental factors. Preventive treatments may involve medications such as verapamil, corticosteroids, or neuromodulators, but intractable cases often require more aggressive management strategies, including nerve blocks or surgical interventions. Accurate diagnosis and coding are crucial for effective treatment and reimbursement.
Detailed patient history, symptom diary, treatment response, and any imaging studies.
Patients presenting with recurrent unilateral headaches with autonomic features.
Ensure documentation reflects the intractable nature of the headaches and any prior treatments attempted.
Records of pain assessments, treatment plans, and response to interventions.
Patients requiring nerve blocks or other interventional procedures for headache management.
Document the rationale for choosing specific interventions and their outcomes.
Used for patients with intractable TAC who have not responded to medication.
Document the patient's history of headaches, previous treatments, and rationale for the procedure.
Ensure that the procedure is performed by a qualified specialist and that all pre-procedure assessments are documented.
G44.091 specifically refers to intractable trigeminal autonomic cephalgias, which are characterized by severe unilateral pain and autonomic symptoms that do not respond to standard treatments, unlike other headache codes that may refer to more common or less severe headache types.
