Find information on Migraine Without Aura, including diagnostic criteria, ICD-10 code G43.0, clinical documentation tips, and headache management resources for healthcare professionals. Learn about common migraine symptoms, differential diagnosis considerations, and best practices for accurate medical coding and billing. This resource provides valuable insights for physicians, nurses, and other clinicians involved in the diagnosis and treatment of migraine headaches without aura.
Also known as
Migraine without aura
Recurrent headache disorder characterized by unilateral throbbing pain.
Migraine with aura
Migraine headache preceded by visual or sensory disturbances.
Other migraine
Migraine variants not classified elsewhere, like hemiplegic migraine.
Migraine unspecified
Migraine diagnosed, but type not specified or documented.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the headache consistent with migraine diagnostic criteria?
Yes
Is aura present?
No
Do NOT code as migraine. Consider alternative diagnoses.
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Migraine without aura |
Migraine with aura |
Chronic migraine |
Coding migraine without aura without specifying laterality (if applicable) can lead to rejected claims or lower reimbursement. Use G43.009 for unspecified side, G43.011 for left, G43.012 for right, or G43.013 for bilateral.
Incorrectly coding migraine symptoms (nausea, photophobia) separately instead of using the comprehensive G43.009 for migraine without aura can cause claim denials due to unbundling.
Failing to accurately document and code status migrainosus (G43.119) when a migraine lasts over 72 hours can lead to underpayment and inaccurate severity reflection.
Patient presents with a chief complaint of recurrent headache consistent with migraine without aura. The patient reports experiencing moderate to severe, pulsating pain, typically unilateral and localized to the frontotemporal region. Pain is aggravated by routine physical activity and accompanied by nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. Headache duration varies from 4 to 72 hours. The patient denies any visual disturbances, sensory changes, or other neurological symptoms preceding the headache, ruling out migraine with aura. Frequency of attacks is reported as approximately two per month. Symptoms meet the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) diagnostic criteria for migraine without aura. Differential diagnoses considered include tension-type headache, cluster headache, and secondary headache disorders. Based on the patient's history and clinical presentation, migraine without aura is the most likely diagnosis. Treatment plan includes acute management with NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, and triptans like sumatriptan or rizatriptan as needed. Preventive therapy will be considered if acute treatments are insufficient or headaches occur frequently. Patient education provided on migraine triggers, lifestyle modifications, and medication management. Follow-up scheduled in four weeks to assess treatment efficacy and adjust plan as needed. ICD-10 code G43.0 assigned.