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Compare/G44 vs R51

G44 vs R51

G44 (Other headache syndromes) compared with R51 (Headache), from the official CMS tabular data. Both may be reported when both conditions are documented (Excludes2).

Can these codes be reported together?

Yes, when both are documented. R51 carries an Excludes2 note covering G44: “migraine and other headache syndromes (G43-G44)”

Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.

Side by side

G44Other headache syndromesR51Headache
Billing statusNon-billable header

Report instead: G44.001, G44.009, G44.011, G44.019, G44.021

Non-billable header

Report instead: R51.0, R51.9

ClassificationG00-G99 — Diseases of the Nervous System (G00-G99)R00-R99 — Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory Findings, Not Elsewhere Classified (R00-R99)
DefinitionOther headache syndromes is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (G44).Headache is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (R51).
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Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources