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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR49.8

R49.8

Other voice and resonance disorders

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

Code Description

ICD-10 R49.8 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of other voice and resonance disorders.

Key Diagnostic Point:

R49.8 encompasses a variety of voice and resonance disorders that do not fall under more specific categories. These disorders can manifest as changes in pitch, volume, quality, or resonance of the voice, leading to difficulties in communication. Symptoms may include hoarseness, breathiness, or a nasal quality to the voice. Common causes include laryngeal pathologies such as nodules or polyps, neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease, or functional disorders such as muscle tension dysphonia. The clinical presentation can vary widely, and patients may report fatigue when speaking, difficulty projecting their voice, or changes in vocal range. Abnormal clinical findings may include laryngeal edema or lesions observed during laryngoscopy. Laboratory findings may not be directly applicable, but imaging studies or voice assessments may be utilized to evaluate the underlying causes of the disorder.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of underlying causes requiring differential diagnosis
  • Overlap with other voice disorders codes
  • Need for comprehensive documentation of symptoms
  • Potential for misclassification with similar codes

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of symptoms and clinical findings
  • Misuse of related codes leading to upcoding or downcoding
  • Failure to specify the underlying cause of the voice disorder
  • Inconsistent coding practices across providers

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

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

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with chronic hoarseness or voice changes due to systemic diseases.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of comorbidities that may affect voice quality, such as thyroid disorders or respiratory conditions.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute assessment of voice changes, including history of trauma or sudden onset of symptoms.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with acute laryngeal edema or trauma presenting with voice changes.

Billing Considerations

Rapid assessment and documentation of airway status and potential need for intervention.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R49.8 When
  • Follow the official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the code is used when the voice disorder does not fit into more specific categories
  • Document the clinical findings and any relevant diagnostic tests performed

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R49.8 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

31575CPT Code

Laryngoscopy, flexible, diagnostic

Clinical Scenario

Used when evaluating a patient with voice changes.

Documentation Requirements

Document indication for laryngoscopy and findings.

Specialty Considerations

Otolaryngology specialists often perform this procedure.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of voice disorders, enabling better tracking of these conditions and their management. R49.8 provides a catch-all for disorders that do not fit neatly into other categories, improving the granularity of data collection.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of voice disorders, enabling better tracking of these conditions and their management. R49.8 provides a catch-all for disorders that do not fit neatly into other categories, improving the granularity of data collection.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of voice disorders, enabling better tracking of these conditions and their management. R49.8 provides a catch-all for disorders that do not fit neatly into other categories, improving the granularity of data collection.

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

When should I use R49.8 instead of more specific codes?

Use R49.8 when the voice disorder does not fit into more specific categories like hoarseness or dysphonia, and ensure that the clinical documentation supports the use of this code.