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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesBalance Impairment

Balance Impairment

ICD-10 Coding for Balance Impairment(R26.81, R26.89)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYNeurology
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Balance Impairment?
Essential facts and insights about Balance Impairment

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Dizziness or vertigo
  • Unsteadiness or loss of balance
  • Difficulty walking or standing
  • Nausea or vomiting associated with balance issues

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Patient history of balance issues
  • Results of balance tests (e.g., Romberg test)
  • Neurological examination findings
  • Assessment of gait and coordination

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Follow specific guidelines for coding balance impairment based on underlying causes.
  • Common errors include using non-specific codes or failing to document the severity of symptoms.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excludes conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
  • Alternative codes for specific vestibular disorders

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
R42
Dizziness and giddiness
R26.9
Unspecified abnormalities of gait and mobility
G25.0
Essential tremor
Ancillary Codes
Z74.09
Differential Codes
R27.0

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Neurology

Specialty Applications

  • Elderly patients with fall risk
  • Patients with neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the documentation requirements?

Document the patient's history, clinical findings, and results of diagnostic tests.

What are the billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding based on clinical documentation to avoid claim denials.