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Z87.820
ICD-10-CM
History of Traumatic Brain Injury

Find information on documenting a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) for accurate medical coding and healthcare claims. Learn about clinical documentation improvement (CDI) best practices for TBI, including Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, post-concussion syndrome (PCS) diagnosis, and long-term sequelae of TBI. This resource covers ICD-10 codes related to traumatic brain injury history, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), and severe TBI for optimal clinical documentation integrity and reimbursement. Explore the importance of comprehensive TBI history documentation in healthcare settings.

Also known as

History of TBI
Past Traumatic Brain Injury
Previous TBI

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Brain injury caused by external force, such as a blow to the head.
  • Clinical Signs : Headache, dizziness, memory problems, confusion, nausea, light sensitivity.
  • Common Settings : Emergency room, neurology clinic, rehabilitation center, physical therapy.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC Z87.820 Coding
S06

Intracranial injury

Covers traumatic brain injuries like concussions and skull fractures.

S00-S09

Injuries to the head

Includes injuries to the scalp, skull, and brain.

F07

Personality and behavioral disorders due to brain disease, damage and dysfunction

Includes long-term cognitive and behavioral changes after brain injury.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the TBI current or acute?

  • Yes

    Do NOT code history of TBI. Code the acute/current TBI (e.g., S06.X).

  • No

    Any residual effects documented?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
History of TBI
Postconcussion syndrome
Cognitive comm. disorder

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • History of TBI: Date of injury
  • History of TBI: Mechanism of injury
  • History of TBI: Sequelae of TBI
  • History of TBI: Loss of consciousness duration
  • History of TBI: Glasgow Coma Scale score

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified TBI

    Coding TBI without specifying type (concussion, contusion etc.) leads to inaccurate severity and payment.

  • Late Effect Coding

    Failing to code late effects of TBI (e.g., cognitive deficits) impacts quality reporting and reimbursement.

  • Documentation Gaps

    Insufficient documentation of TBI details (e.g., date of injury, sequelae) increases audit risk and claim denials.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document TBI specifics: mechanism, severity, sequelae. ICD-10: S06, S09
  • Query for LOC, PTA, GCS to support TBI diagnosis coding. CDI best practice
  • Capture long-term effects: cognitive deficits, seizures. HCC coding impact
  • Review imaging reports for TBI evidence. Align codes with clinical findings
  • Track post-TBI care: rehab, therapy. Ensure compliant billing and coding

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify documented loss of consciousness duration.
  • Confirm post-traumatic amnesia details if present.
  • Check Glasgow Coma Scale score documentation.
  • Assess neuroimaging reports for TBI evidence.
  • Document detailed injury mechanism and symptoms.

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Traumatic Brain Injury reimbursement hinges on accurate ICD-10-CM coding (S06.-, S09.90-) and precise documentation of injury severity and sequelae. Impacts: Higher CMI with proper coding. Reduced denials with specific documentation.
  • Coding quality affects TBI case mix index reporting. Impacts: Accurate hospital quality data. Improved resource allocation.
  • History of TBI (Z87.82-) impacts reimbursement when it influences current treatment. Impacts: Justification for ongoing therapy or medication. Increased payment accuracy.
  • Proper TBI coding and documentation improve data validity for public health reporting and research. Impacts: Better understanding of TBI prevalence. Improved TBI treatment outcomes.

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.* for TBI
  • Document injury details
  • Specify injury sequelae
  • Query physician for clarity
  • Use 7th character for encounter

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI).  The initial injury occurred on [Date of Injury] and was characterized as [Severity of TBI: mild, moderate, severe] based on [Glasgow Coma Scale score at time of injury, duration of loss of consciousness, post-traumatic amnesia duration].  The mechanism of injury was [Mechanism of injury, e.g., motor vehicle accident, fall, sports injury, blast injury].  Current symptoms include [List current symptoms, e.g., headaches, dizziness, cognitive impairment, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, emotional lability, sleep disturbances, sensory changes].  Neurological examination reveals [Specific neurological findings, e.g., normal cranial nerves, intact motor strength, mild gait instability].  Patient reports a history of [Prior treatment for TBI, e.g., hospitalization, rehabilitation, medications].  Current medications include [List current medications].  Assessment suggests post-concussion syndrome related to the prior TBI.  Plan includes [Treatment plan, e.g., referral to neuropsychology for cognitive evaluation, occupational therapy for functional assessment, medication management for symptom control, patient education regarding TBI management].  Differential diagnoses considered include [List differential diagnoses, e.g., migraine, anxiety disorder, depression].  ICD-10 code: S06.9 (Unspecified traumatic brain injury).  Further evaluation and management will be based on patient response to treatment and ongoing symptom presentation.  Prognosis is dependent on the severity of the initial injury and the presence of persistent symptoms. Continued monitoring for neurological deficits is warranted.