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ICD-10 Coding for Head Concussion(S06.0X0A, S06.0X1A)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Head Concussion. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

ConcussionMild Traumatic Brain Injury

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Head Concussion

S06.0X0-S06.0X9Primary Range

ICD-10 codes for concussion

This range covers all types of concussions, with and without loss of consciousness.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
S06.0X0AConcussion without loss of consciousness, initial encounterUse when a patient has a concussion without any loss of consciousness.
  • Documented mechanism of injury
  • No loss of consciousness reported
  • Symptoms such as headache or dizziness
S06.0X1AConcussion with loss of consciousness of 30 minutes or less, initial encounterUse when a patient has a concussion with LOC of 30 minutes or less.
  • Documented LOC duration
  • Symptoms such as confusion or amnesia

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for concussion without LOC

Essential facts and insights about Head Concussion

The ICD-10 code for a concussion without loss of consciousness is S06.0X0A.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for head concussion

Concussion without loss of consciousness, initial encounter
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • No loss of consciousness documented

Applicable To

  • Concussion with no LOC

Excludes

  • Traumatic brain injury with LOC

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Documented mechanism of injury
  • No loss of consciousness reported
  • Symptoms such as headache or dizziness

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding when LOC is present

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation explicitly states no LOC.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Fall from playground equipment

W09.0XXA
Use to specify the cause of the concussion.

Activity, sports

Y93.3
Use to specify the activity during which the concussion occurred.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Diffuse traumatic brain injury without LOC

S06.2X0A
Use when imaging shows diffuse injury but no LOC.

Concussion, unspecified

S06.0X9A
Use when LOC duration is not specified.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Head Concussion to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code S06.0X0A.

Impact

Clinical: Inadequate clinical picture, Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards, Financial: Potential claim denials

Mitigation Strategy

Always ask and document how the injury occurred, Use external cause codes

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect encounter type can lead to claim denials., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate patient encounter data.

Mitigation Strategy

Use 'D' for subsequent encounters.

Impact

Incorrect use of seventh characters can lead to audit flags.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate staff on correct character use for initial, subsequent, and sequela encounters.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Head Concussion, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Head Concussion

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Head Concussion. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Emergency Department Concussion Evaluation

Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Required Elements

  • Mechanism of injury
  • LOC duration
  • Symptoms
  • Assessment tools used

Example Documentation

Patient presents with head injury after fall from bike, LOC for 10 minutes, reports headache and dizziness.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient hit head, feels dizzy.
Good Documentation Example
Patient fell from bike, LOC for 10 minutes, GCS 14, reports headache and dizziness.
Explanation
The good example provides specific details necessary for accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Head Concussion? Ask your questions below.

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