ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR47.89

R47.89

Other speech disturbances

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 R47.89 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of other speech disturbances.

Key Diagnostic Point:

R47.89 encompasses a variety of speech disturbances that do not fall under more specific categories. These disturbances can manifest as difficulties in articulation, fluency, or voice quality, and may be indicative of underlying neurological, psychological, or developmental conditions. Common symptoms include slurred speech, stuttering, or abnormal pitch and volume. Clinical findings may include observable speech patterns that deviate from normal, as well as patient-reported difficulties in communication. Abnormal lab findings may not be directly associated with speech disturbances but could indicate underlying conditions such as neurological disorders or metabolic imbalances. Accurate diagnosis often requires a multidisciplinary approach, including speech-language pathology assessments, neurological evaluations, and psychological assessments to determine the root cause of the disturbances.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of underlying causes (neurological, psychological, developmental)
  • Overlap with other speech-related codes
  • Need for comprehensive documentation to support diagnosis
  • Potential for subjective interpretation of symptoms

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the specific speech disturbance
  • Failure to link the speech disturbance to a definitive diagnosis
  • Misclassification of speech disturbances under more specific codes
  • Lack of evidence for the clinical necessity of speech therapy

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed patient history, including onset and duration of symptoms, and any associated medical conditions.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with speech disturbances secondary to stroke, multiple sclerosis, or other systemic illnesses.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of comorbid conditions that may affect speech, such as cognitive impairment or psychiatric disorders.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute assessment of speech disturbances, including neurological examination and any immediate interventions.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Acute stroke presentations where speech disturbances are a primary symptom.

Billing Considerations

Rapid assessment and documentation are critical for timely intervention and coding accuracy.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R47.89 When
  • Coders should ensure that R47
  • 89 is used only when the speech disturbance is not classified elsewhere
  • Documentation must clearly indicate the nature of the disturbance and any relevant clinical findings

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R47.89 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

92507CPT Code

Treatment of speech, language, voice, communication, and/or auditory processing disorder

Clinical Scenario

Used when a patient receives therapy for speech disturbances.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must include the type of therapy provided and the patient's response.

Specialty Considerations

Speech-language pathologists must provide detailed notes on progress and treatment goals.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of speech disturbances, enabling better tracking of these conditions and their treatment outcomes. R47.89 provides a catch-all for disturbances that do not fit into more defined categories, but it requires careful documentation to avoid misclassification.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of speech disturbances, enabling better tracking of these conditions and their treatment outcomes. R47.89 provides a catch-all for disturbances that do not fit into more defined categories, but it requires careful documentation to avoid misclassification.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of speech disturbances, enabling better tracking of these conditions and their treatment outcomes. R47.89 provides a catch-all for disturbances that do not fit into more defined categories, but it requires careful documentation to avoid misclassification.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of conditions can R47.89 be used for?

R47.89 can be used for a variety of speech disturbances that do not fit into more specific categories, including slurred speech, stuttering, and other abnormalities in speech production.

How can I ensure accurate coding for R47.89?

Accurate coding requires thorough documentation of the patient's symptoms, the clinical context, and any assessments performed. Always consider whether a more specific code may apply.