What is the ICD-10 code for migraine?

The ICD-10-CM code for migraine is G43.909 when documented without further specification. More specific documentation changes the code — see the scenario table.

Yes — G43.909 is a billable ICD-10-CM code, but payers expect the most specific code the documentation supports.

ICD-10 Code for migraine

The ICD-10-CM code for migraine is G43.909 when documented without further specification. RxHCC Migraine, unspecified, is G43.909 — not intractable, without status migrainosus. The G43 code is built from three documented axes: migraine type (with/without aura), intractability, and status migrainosus.

G43.909 is a risk-adjusting diagnosis under RxHCC models. Create a free account to see model versions, RAF contribution, and AI-powered HCC suppression analysis.

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Symptom code vs. confirmed diagnosis

Migraine is a diagnosis, not a symptom; "headache" alone without a migraine diagnosis is a symptom code (R51.-). G43.909 is the default only when type, intractability, and status migrainosus are all undocumented.

Which Code Should You Use?

G43.909 ✓ Billable — Migraine, unspecified, not intractable, without status migrainosus

Migraine, unspecified — type, intractability, and status not documented.

G43.009 ✓ Billable — Migraine without aura, not intractable, without status migrainosus

Migraine without aura, not intractable, without status migrainosus.

G43.001 ✓ Billable — Migraine without aura, not intractable, with status migrainosus

Migraine without aura, not intractable, with status migrainosus.

G43.019 ✓ Billable — Migraine without aura, intractable, without status migrainosus

Migraine without aura, intractable, without status migrainosus.

G43.011 ✓ Billable — Migraine without aura, intractable, with status migrainosus

Migraine without aura, intractable, with status migrainosus.

What to Document

Migraine type — with vs without aura (drives the 4th character).
Intractability ("intractable"/"refractory"/"not responding") — 5th character.
Status migrainosus present or absent — 6th character.

Common Documentation Pitfalls

A documented "headache" without a migraine diagnosis is R51.-, not a G43 code.
Defaulting to G43.909 when the note documents aura, intractability, or status migrainosus under-codes the encounter.

Also Known As

Official ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index terms that point to G43.909:

Migraine (idiopathic)
Migraine (idiopathic) › not intractable
Headache › migraine (type)
Hemicrania › meaning migraine
Migraine (idiopathic) › without refractory migraine
Syndrome › migraine
Migraine (idiopathic) › not intractable › without status migrainosus
Migraine (idiopathic) › without refractory migraine › without status migrainosus

Coding Notes

Build G43 from three axes — aura, intractability, and status migrainosus. Defaulting to G43.909 wastes documented specificity, and plain "headache" without a migraine diagnosis is R51.-, not a G43 code.

Prevalence & Statistics

In 2021, 4.3% of U.S. adults aged 18 and older reported being bothered a lot by headache or migraine in the past 3 months, with a higher rate among women (6.2%) than men (2.2%). (CDC/NCHS MMWR QuickStats, National Health Interview Survey, 2021, 2021)