R519 - Headache, unspecified type
International Classification of Diseases
What is a ICD-10 Code?
ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) codes are used to classify and code all diagnoses, symptoms, and procedures recorded in association with hospital care. These codes provide a standardized way to track health conditions and their treatment outcomes.
Detailed Description
This code indicates you experienced a headache, but the specific type or cause wasn't determined or documented during your visit. Headaches are very common and can have many different causes, ranging from stress, dehydration, or lack of sleep to more specific medical conditions. Since this is coded as 'unspecified,' it means your healthcare provider documented that you had head pain but didn't identify it as a particular type of headache (like migraine, tension headache, or cluster headache). This could be because it was a one-time occurrence, the pattern wasn't clear yet, or additional evaluation might be needed to determine the specific type.
Additional Information
Most headaches are not serious, but persistent, severe, or changing headache patterns should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. This unspecified code is often used for initial visits or when the headache doesn't fit a specific pattern yet.
Category
Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings
Medical Specialty
Primary Care, Neurology, Emergency Medicine
Expected Costs
We expect this to normally be in the range of:
$150 - $500
This is an estimate based on typical billing patterns. Your actual cost may vary depending on your insurance coverage, provider location, and specific circumstances.
What's Required Before This
- Medical history review
- Physical examination
- Symptom assessment
What to Expect After
- Monitor headache patterns
- Keep headache diary if recommended
- Return if headaches worsen or become frequent
- Follow medication instructions if prescribed
Why Understanding This Code Matters
On Your Medical Bill
This code appears on your medical bills to identify the specific service, procedure, drug, or medical diagnosis you received. Understanding what it means helps you verify you're being charged correctly and know what to expect.
For Your Health
Knowing what this code represents helps you understand your treatment plan, ask better questions during appointments, and track your healthcare journey more effectively.
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