ICD-10 R51.9
Billable / SpecificHeadache, unspecified
About ICD-10-CM R51.9
ICD-10-CM code R51.9 represents Headache, unspecified. This is a billable/specific code in the Symptoms, Signs, and Abnormal Findings chapter (block R51). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM R51.9 became effective on October 1, 2025.
Coding Tips for R51.9
Specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team. Specificity warnings, HCC capture rules, sequencing notes.
Headache unspecified. Use a more specific code if migraine, tension, cluster, or post-traumatic headache is documented.
Inclusion Terms / Approximate Synonyms
Clinical terms and conditions classified under R51.9. Per CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular 2026.
- Facial pain NOS
Medicare LCD Coverage for R51.9
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list R51.9 as a covered diagnosis.
Showing top 10 of 65 total . Click a CPT for full coverage scope.
Commercial Payer Coverage
Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing R51.9.
5 Aetna
4 Cigna
4 Medicare
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with R51.9
Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.
- 99202 New patient office visit — fever, headache, abdominal pain, cough, dyspnea, fatigue, dizziness, limb pain, nausea, routine exam, URI, UTI, pharyngitis, otitis, chest pain, weight loss Primary Care
- 99203 New patient office visit — common complaints plus chronic conditions: HTN, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, asthma, GERD, back pain, migraine, tachycardia, prediabetes Primary Care
- 99212 Established patient — URI, UTI, pharyngitis, otitis, dermatitis, rash, viral infection, cellulitis, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, ankle sprain Primary Care
- 99213 Established patient — HTN follow-up, diabetes management, hyperlipidemia, asthma, anxiety, common complaints, back pain, GERD, migraine, acne, joint pain, prediabetes, obesity, anemia, hypothyroid, fatigue Primary Care
- 93880 Duplex carotid — stroke, TIA, carotid stenosis, cerebral atherosclerosis, syncope, migraine, dizziness, headache, family hx vascular disease Cardiology
- 70553 MRI brain with and without contrast — migraine, headache, encephalopathy, brain cancer, epilepsy, brain neoplasm, cognitive decline, MS, hydrocephalus, aphasia, numbness Radiology
- 70551 MRI brain without contrast — migraine, headache, encephalopathy, cognitive decline, MS, epilepsy, syncope, dizziness Radiology
- 95819 EEG awake and asleep — epilepsy, generalized seizures, absence seizures, focal seizures, seizure NOS, fasciculations, syncope, encephalopathy, cognitive decline, aphasia, migraine, headache, insomnia Neurology
- 95165 Botox injection for migraine — chronic migraine, migraine with aura, migraine without aura, menstrual migraine, other migraine, headache Neurology
Codes Adjacent To R51.9
Other codes in section R50-R69 (General symptoms and signs).
ICD-10 R51.9, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code R51.9 billable? +
Yes, R51.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can appear as a primary or secondary diagnosis on claims.
What other names or terms map to R51.9? +
ICD-10 R51.9 includes: Facial pain NOS.
What CPT codes are commonly billed with R51.9? +
Procedures frequently paired with R51.9 include: 99202, 99203, 99212, 99213, 93880.
Get the full PayerReady toolkit
Free access to CPT/ICD-10 lookup, denial appeals, fee comparator, and claim auditing with credentialing enrollment.
Start free →Run this code through our claim audit tool
Check NCCI bundling, MUE limits, and modifier logic before submission.
Try the auditor →Did this page help?
Quick signal so we know what to improve.
If you want a code reference page that doesn't exist yet, email coding@payerready.com.
Tell us what's missing or wrong: coding@payerready.com. We respond within 5 business days.
Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on July 18, 2026.
Powered by 11K CPT · 98K ICD-10 · 860K MPFS rates · 4.5M NCCI edits · 9.5M NPIs. Our data methodology · About our coding team