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S06.0X9A
ICD-10-CM
Head Concussion

Find information on head concussion diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare guidance. Learn about concussion symptoms, ICD-10 codes for concussion, post-concussion syndrome, traumatic brain injury TBI, and mild traumatic brain injury MTBI. This resource offers support for healthcare professionals seeking accurate concussion diagnosis information for proper patient care and medical billing.

Also known as

Concussion
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head.
  • Clinical Signs : Headache, dizziness, confusion, amnesia, nausea, vomiting.
  • Common Settings : Sports injuries, falls, motor vehicle accidents.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC S06.0X9A Coding
S06.0X-

Traumatic brain injury

Concussion and diffuse traumatic brain injury.

S09.90XA

Unspecified injury of head

Injury to the head, not otherwise specified.

S06.9X-

Intracranial injury NOS

Unspecified intracranial injury without skull fracture.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Loss of consciousness (LOC)?

  • Yes

    Current concussion symptoms?

  • No

    Current concussion symptoms?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Head injury with brief LOC or altered mental status.
Brain injury from trauma causing prolonged LOC.
Head injury without LOC; symptoms may include headache, dizziness.

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Concussion diagnosis: Document cause, onset, duration.
  • Loss of consciousness? Document if present, duration.
  • Post-concussive symptoms: Detail ALL symptoms.
  • Glasgow Coma Scale score: Document initial GCS.
  • Neurological exam: Document findings clearly.

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Concussion

    Coding concussion without specifying type (e.g., with or without loss of consciousness) leads to inaccurate severity capture and reimbursement.

  • Missed LOC Detail

    Failing to document loss of consciousness (LOC) duration impacts accurate coding and subsequent quality reporting and case mix index.

  • Associated Injury Coding

    Overlooking or undercoding associated injuries (e.g., skull fracture, intracranial injury) with concussion affects overall clinical picture and payment.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document LOC, PTA, and GCS for accurate ICD-10 coding (S06).
  • Detailed symptom documentation improves CDI & risk adjustment.
  • Neuro exam, imaging results crucial for compliant billing.
  • Standardized concussion assessments aid consistent diagnosis coding.
  • Follow established guidelines for return-to-activity clearance.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Loss of consciousness documented ICD-10 S06.0X
  • Post-traumatic amnesia duration noted for coding
  • Glasgow Coma Scale score recorded for severity assessment
  • Neurological exam findings documented for accurate diagnosis
  • Return to activity guidelines provided for patient safety

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Head Concussion reimbursement hinges on accurate ICD-10 coding (S06.-) and appropriate supporting documentation for medical necessity.
  • Coding quality directly impacts concussion claim denials. Accurate E/M coding and 7-character specificity are crucial.
  • Hospital reporting of concussion diagnoses affects trauma registry data, resource allocation, and public health surveillance.
  • Missed diagnoses or undercoding of concussion severity can negatively impact reimbursement and quality metrics.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code S06.0X for concussion
  • Document LOC duration
  • Specify GCS score
  • Query physician for details
  • 7th character for encounter

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with signs and symptoms consistent with a head concussion, likely resulting from [mechanism of injury, e.g., fall, motor vehicle accident, sports injury].  Onset of symptoms occurred [timeframe, e.g., immediately, within minutes, hours] following the injury.  Patient reports [list of symptoms, e.g., headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, amnesia, confusion, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to light or noise].  Neurological examination reveals [objective findings, e.g., normal pupillary response, intact extraocular movements, no focal neurological deficits, Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15].  Patient denies [relevant negatives, e.g., loss of consciousness, seizures, prior history of concussions].  Differential diagnosis includes [other potential diagnoses, e.g., post-concussion syndrome, mild traumatic brain injury, intracranial hemorrhage].  Assessment of concussion symptoms utilizes the SCAT5 symptom checklist.  Current symptoms are managed conservatively with [treatment plan, e.g., rest, over-the-counter pain relievers for headache, avoidance of strenuous activity, cognitive rest].  Patient education provided regarding concussion management, return to activity protocols, and warning signs of potential complications such as worsening headache, persistent vomiting, seizures, or altered mental status.  Follow-up scheduled in [timeframe, e.g., one week] to monitor symptom resolution and discuss return to learn or return to work plan.  ICD-10 code S06.0X assigned for concussion.  CPT codes for evaluation and management services documented based on complexity of visit.