The ICD-10-CM code for a concussion comes from category S06.0X: S06.0X0A for a concussion without loss of consciousness and S06.0X1A when loss of consciousness lasted 30 minutes or less. Once the acute injury phase is over and symptoms persist, F07.81 reports postconcussional syndrome. The 7th character shows whether the patient is in active treatment (A), routine healing care (D), or being treated for a sequela (S).
FY2027 update: This guide reflects the FY2027 ICD-10-CM code set, effective October 1, 2026. The concussion codes in category S06.0 did not change for FY2027.
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How is a current concussion coded differently from post-concussional syndrome?
Concussions are among the most commonly coded traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in outpatient, emergency department, sports medicine, neurology, and urgent care settings. However, ICD-10-CM concussion coding requires careful attention to the duration of loss of consciousness (LOC), encounter status, and whether the provider is treating an acute injury or persistent post-concussive symptoms.
This updated 2027 medical coding guide explains the ICD-10-CM rules for coding current concussions, post-concussion syndrome, sequela conditions, history of concussion, documentation requirements, and CPC exam tips.
Quick Answer: What Is the ICD-10 Code for a Concussion?
For a current concussion, use category S06.0X-. Accurate coding requires a 6th character to identify the duration of loss of consciousness (LOC) and a 7th character for the encounter type.
Examples include:
- S06.0X0A: Concussion without loss of consciousness, initial encounter
- S06.0X1A: Concussion with LOC of 30 minutes or less, initial encounter
- S06.0XAA: Concussion with loss of consciousness status unknown, initial encounter
For lingering symptoms after the initial injury has healed, assign F07.81 for post-concussional syndrome.
What are the concussion codes? (FY2027 Coding Table)
The following table provides quick-reference ICD-10-CM codes for the most commonly reported concussion diagnoses.
| Scenario | ICD-10 Code (Initial Encounter) |
|---|---|
| Concussion without LOC | S06.0X0A |
| Concussion with LOC (30 minutes or less) | S06.0X1A |
| Concussion with LOC status unknown | S06.0XAA |
| Concussion with LOC (Unspecified duration) | S06.0X9A |
Additional concussion code options may apply depending on the exact documented LOC duration and encounter type.
What does category S06.0X- cover?
Category S06.0X- is used for acute concussion injuries. These codes are classified under traumatic brain injuries (TBI) within ICD-10-CM Chapter 19.
Documentation should clearly identify:
- Whether loss of consciousness occurred
- The duration of LOC
- The encounter type
- Current symptoms
- Neurological findings
- Whether the concussion is still actively being treated
Providers often document symptoms such as:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Memory impairment
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to light
- Difficulty concentrating
- Balance disturbances
Medical coders should verify that the provider documentation supports the specific LOC duration before selecting the appropriate code.
How do you code post-concussion syndrome (F07.81)?
Post-concussion syndrome occurs when symptoms continue beyond the expected recovery period after the initial injury.
The ICD-10-CM code for post-concussion syndrome is:
- F07.81: Postconcussional syndrome
Common persistent symptoms include:
- Chronic headaches
- Dizziness
- Cognitive fatigue
- Memory problems
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood changes
- Difficulty concentrating
This diagnosis is typically assigned after the acute injury phase has resolved.
Coding alert: Do not use S06.0X- codes if the patient is only being treated for post-concussion syndrome (F07.81). Category S-codes are for the acute injury phase.
7th Character Requirements: A, D, or S?
Concussion ICD-10-CM codes require a 7th character extension to identify the encounter status.
A: Initial encounter
Use “A” when the patient is receiving active treatment for the concussion.
Examples:
- Emergency department care
- Initial physician evaluation
- Surgical treatment
- Active management of symptoms
Example:
- S06.0X0A
D: Subsequent encounter
Use “D” after active treatment has ended and the patient is receiving routine healing care.
Examples:
- Follow-up visits
- Rehabilitation monitoring
Example:
- S06.0X0D
S: Sequela
Use “S” for residual effects that remain after the original injury has healed.
Examples:
- Chronic headaches from prior concussion
- Memory deficits
- Cognitive impairment due to previous TBI
Example:
- S06.0X0S
When using sequelacoding, the residual condition is coded first, followed by the injury code with the “S” extension.
In many cases, F07.81 may be coded alongside a sequela concussion code if documentation supports both conditions.
How do you code a history of concussion?
If the patient has fully recovered from a prior concussion but the history remains clinically relevant, assign:
- Z87.820: Personal history of traumatic brain injury
This code may be appropriate when:
- A provider references a prior concussion history
- Previous TBI affects treatment decisions
- Sports clearance evaluations are performed
- Neurological risk factors are discussed
Do not assign active injury codes when the concussion has completely resolved.
What documentation is needed for concussion coding?
Strong provider documentation is critical for proper reimbursement and ICD-10-CM compliance.
Documentation should include:
- Mechanism of injury
- Presence or absence of LOC
- Exact LOC duration
- Current neurological symptoms
- Cognitive findings
- Imaging results if available
- Follow-up status
- Whether symptoms are acute or chronic
Neurological exam documentation is especially important for accurate evaluation and management coding.
For additional documentation guidance, review the E/M coding guidelines at Coding Clarified E/M 2026 Guidelines
What are the most common concussion coding mistakes?
Using Unspecified LOC Codes When Documentation Is Available
Coders should avoid unspecified LOC options when the physician documents a precise timeframe.
Confusing Acute Injury With Post-Concussion Syndrome
Acute concussion injuries use category S06.0X-, while persistent symptoms after recovery may require F07.81.
Missing the 7th Character
Failure to append the required 7th character can result in claim rejection.
Reporting Active Injury Codes for Resolved Conditions
Once the injury has healed, use history or sequela codes instead of active injury codes.
What concussion concepts are tested on the CPC exam?
Students preparing for the CPC exam should focus on:
- Differentiating acute injury vs sequela conditions
- Identifying correct 7th character extensions
- Recognizing traumatic brain injury terminology
- Understanding LOC documentation requirements
- Following ICD-10-CM injury chapter guidelines
Remember:
- “A” does not always mean the first visit; it means active treatment.
- Sequela coding requires coding the residual condition first.
- Post-concussion syndrome is not coded as an acute concussion.
Summary
Concussion coding in ICD-10-CM requires accurate documentation of loss of consciousness, encounter type, and symptom progression.
Key codes include:
- S06.0X0A: Concussion without LOC
- S06.0X1A: Concussion with LOC of 30 minutes or less
- S06.0XAA: Concussion with LOC status unknown
- F07.81: Postconcussional syndrome
- Z87.820: Personal history of traumatic brain injury
Understanding the difference between active injuries, sequela conditions, and historical conditions is essential for accurate medical coding, reimbursement, and CPC exam success. Explore Coding Clarified’s medical coding training program or learn more About Coding Clarified, browse the Medical Coding Reference Library, or read our sequela coding guide.
Concussion ICD-10 FAQs
What is the ICD-10 code for a concussion without loss of consciousness?
S06.0X0A for the initial encounter, S06.0X0D for a subsequent encounter, and S06.0X0S for a sequela.
What if the provider does not document loss of consciousness clearly?
Query the provider when you can. S06.0XAA is for loss of consciousness status unknown, and S06.0X9A is for loss of consciousness of unspecified duration.
Can F07.81 be reported with a current concussion code?
Not with an initial encounter code. F07.81 has an Excludes1 note for current concussion (S06.0X- with 7th character A). It also carries a code also note for sequela of concussion (S06.0X- with 7th character S), so when the provider documents postconcussional syndrome as a residual of a healed concussion, report F07.81 and the concussion code with the 7th character S.
How do I code a post-traumatic headache with postconcussional syndrome?
F07.81 instructs you to use an additional code from category G44.3 to identify an associated post-traumatic headache.
Is a follow up visit for a concussion coded with A or D?
Use A while the patient is still receiving active treatment, even at a later visit. Use D once active treatment is complete and the visit is for routine healing or recovery. See initial, subsequent, and sequela encounters.
What is the code for a concussion with loss of consciousness longer than 30 minutes?
Category S06.0X only covers no loss of consciousness, 30 minutes or less, unspecified duration and unknown status. When the provider documents a longer loss of consciousness, follow the Alphabetic Index entry for concussion with the documented duration, verify the code in the Tabular List, and query the provider if the documentation is unclear.
What is the ICD-10 code for history of concussion?
Z87.820, Personal history of traumatic brain injury, when the concussion has resolved and the history is relevant to care.
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