Migraine is a neurological disorder that can cause moderate to severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound. For healthcare providers and medical coders, accurate diagnosis documentation is essential for selecting the appropriate ICD-10-CM code for migraine.
The ICD-10-CM migraine category is G43. The category includes several migraine types, including migraine without aura, migraine with aura, hemiplegic migraine, chronic migraine, menstrual migraine, abdominal migraine, and other migraine syndromes.
The correct code depends on the type of migraine documented by the provider, whether the migraine is intractable or not intractable, and whether status migrainosus is documented.
For services provided from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, healthcare organizations should use the FY 2027 ICD-10-CM code set. CMS and CDC provide the official FY 2027 code files and coding guidelines.
What Is the ICD-10 Code for Migraine?
The general ICD-10-CM category for migraine is:
G43 — Migraine
G43 is a category rather than a complete billable diagnosis code. More specific characters are required to identify the documented migraine type and clinical details.
Common migraine code families include:
-
- 0 — Migraine without aura
- 1 — Migraine with aura
- 4 — Hemiplegic migraine
- 5 — Persistent migraine aura without cerebral infarction
- 6 — Persistent migraine aura with cerebral infarction
- 7 — Chronic migraine without aura
- 8 — Other migraine
- 9 — Migraine, unspecified
- E — Chronic migraine with aura
The final characters in many of these code families provide additional information about intractability and status migrainosus.
Common ICD-10-CM Migraine Codes
The following examples show commonly used billable migraine codes.
Migraine Without Aura
The G43.0 category is used for migraine without aura.
Examples include:
-
- 001 — Migraine without aura, not intractable, with status migrainosus
- 009 — Migraine without aura, not intractable, without status migrainosus
- 011 — Migraine without aura, intractable, with status migrainosus
- 019 — Migraine without aura, intractable, without status migrainosus
The provider documentation should support the migraine diagnosis and the applicable clinical characteristics before selecting the most specific code.
Migraine With Aura
The G43.1 category covers migraine with aura.
Examples include:
-
- 101 — Migraine with aura, not intractable, with status migrainosus
- 109 — Migraine with aura, not intractable, without status migrainosus
- 111 — Migraine with aura, intractable, with status migrainosus
- 119 — Migraine with aura, intractable, without status migrainosus
Do not automatically select a migraine-with-aura code based only on symptoms. The medical record should support the diagnosis documented by the provider.
Hemiplegic Migraine ICD-10 Code
Hemiplegic migraine is classified under G43.4.
Examples include:
-
- 401 — Hemiplegic migraine, not intractable, with status migrainosus
- 409 — Hemiplegic migraine, not intractable, without status migrainosus
- 411 — Hemiplegic migraine, intractable, with status migrainosus
- 419 — Hemiplegic migraine, intractable, without status migrainosus
This distinction is important because the code G43.401 should not be described as hemiplegic migraine without status migrainosus. The final characters distinguish the presence or absence of status migrainosus.
Persistent Migraine Aura
Persistent migraine aura has separate code families.
G43.5 — Persistent Migraine Aura Without Cerebral Infarction
Examples include:
-
- 501
- 509
- 511
- 519
G43.6 — Persistent Migraine Aura With Cerebral Infarction
Examples include:
-
- 601
- 609
- 611
- 619
The specific code depends on whether the migraine is documented as intractable and whether status migrainosus is documented.
Chronic Migraine ICD-10 Codes
Chronic migraine without aura is classified under G43.7.
Common codes include:
-
- 701 — Chronic migraine without aura, not intractable, with status migrainosus
- 709 — Chronic migraine without aura, not intractable, without status migrainosus
- 711 — Chronic migraine without aura, intractable, with status migrainosus
- 719 — Chronic migraine without aura, intractable, without status migrainosus
A provider should clearly document the migraine type and the characteristics needed to support the selected code.
Chronic Migraine With Aura: G43.E
ICD-10-CM also contains a dedicated category for chronic migraine with aura: G43.E.
The available codes include:
-
- E01 — Chronic migraine with aura, not intractable, with status migrainosus
- E09 — Chronic migraine with aura, not intractable, without status migrainosus
- E11 — Chronic migraine with aura, intractable, with status migrainosus
- E19 — Chronic migraine with aura, intractable, without status migrainosus
This is an important distinction from ordinary migraine with aura. Chronic migraine with aura should not automatically be coded with G43.109 or G43.119 simply because aura is documented. The provider’s documentation must support the chronic migraine diagnosis.
What Is Status Migrainosus?
Status migrainosus is a prolonged and severe migraine attack. ICD-10-CM migraine codes distinguish between migraine with status migrainosus and without status migrainosus.
The medical record should support the provider’s diagnosis. Coders should not independently determine that status migrainosus is present based solely on the duration or severity of symptoms.
For example:
Documentation: Migraine without aura, intractable, with status migrainosus.
Code: G43.011.
In contrast:
Documentation: Migraine without aura, intractable, without status migrainosus.
Code: G43.019.
Intractable vs. Not Intractable Migraine
One of the most important distinctions in migraine coding is whether the migraine is documented as intractable or not intractable.
In general, the medical record should clearly support the provider’s documented assessment.
For example:
Migraine without aura, not intractable, without status migrainosus
→ G43.009
Migraine without aura, intractable, without status migrainosus
→ G43.019
The coder should not assume intractability simply because the patient has severe pain, frequent attacks, or has tried multiple medications. Code selection should be based on provider documentation and the applicable ICD-10-CM guidelines.
Other Migraine ICD-10-CM Categories
The G43 category contains additional migraine-related diagnoses.
These include:
-
- 8 — Other migraine
- 82 — Menstrual migraine
- A — Cyclical vomiting, in migraine
- B — Ophthalmoplegic migraine
- C — Periodic headache syndromes in child or adult
- D — Abdominal migraine
- E — Chronic migraine with aura
- 9 — Migraine, unspecified
The appropriate subcode should be selected after reviewing the complete provider documentation and the current ICD-10-CM Tabular List and Alphabetic Index.
Migraine, Unspecified: G43.9
The G43.9 category is used when the migraine type is not otherwise specified.
Examples include:
-
- 901 — Migraine, unspecified, not intractable, with status migrainosus
- 909 — Migraine, unspecified, not intractable, without status migrainosus
- 911 — Migraine, unspecified, intractable, with status migrainosus
- 919 — Migraine, unspecified, intractable, without status migrainosus
When the provider documents a more specific migraine diagnosis, the more specific code should be considered rather than defaulting to an unspecified code.
Migraine Coding Examples
Example 1: Migraine Without Aura
Documentation:
Migraine without aura, not intractable, without status migrainosus.
ICD-10-CM: G43.009
Example 2: Migraine With Aura
Documentation:
Migraine with aura, intractable, without status migrainosus.
ICD-10-CM: G43.119
Example 3: Chronic Migraine Without Aura
Documentation:
Chronic migraine without aura, intractable, with status migrainosus.
ICD-10-CM: G43.711
Example 4: Hemiplegic Migraine
Documentation:
Hemiplegic migraine, not intractable, without status migrainosus.
ICD-10-CM: G43.409
Example 5: Chronic Migraine With Aura
Documentation:
Chronic migraine with aura, not intractable, without status migrainosus.
ICD-10-CM: G43.E09
These examples demonstrate why coders need to review the complete diagnosis rather than selecting a generic migraine code.
Migraine Coding Documentation Checklist
Accurate migraine coding starts with complete clinical documentation.
Before assigning a code, review whether the record identifies:
-
- Migraine type
- Presence or absence of aura
- Chronic migraine status
- Hemiplegic migraine, when applicable
- Menstrual or other specific migraine type
- Intractable or not intractable status
- Status migrainosus
- Other documented clinical conditions
- Provider assessment and diagnosis
Clear documentation helps coders select a more specific code and can reduce coding errors and claim problems.
Common Migraine Coding Errors
1. Using G43.9 when a specific diagnosis is documented
An unspecified migraine code may be less appropriate when the provider has documented a specific migraine type.
2. Confusing migraine with aura and chronic migraine with aura
G43.1 and G43.E represent different migraine categories. Chronic migraine with aura has its own code family.
3. Selecting the wrong status migrainosus character
The final characters can change depending on whether status migrainosus is documented.
4. Assuming intractability
Severe or persistent symptoms do not automatically justify an intractable code. Review provider documentation.
5. Using an outdated code description
ICD-10-CM is updated annually. Coding teams should verify the code set applicable to the date of service.
FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Migraine Coding
For FY 2027, the ICD-10-CM code set applies to healthcare services provided from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. CDC and CMS publish the official code files, including the Tabular List, Index, addendum, conversion table, and Official ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines.
Because ICD-10-CM codes and guidelines can change between fiscal years, healthcare organizations should avoid relying on older code lists for current claims.
For coding questions, always verify the code against the official code set applicable to the date of service.
Why Accurate Migraine Coding Matters
Accurate ICD-10-CM coding supports several parts of the healthcare revenue cycle.
Correct coding can help healthcare organizations:
-
- Submit cleaner claims
- Reduce avoidable coding-related denials
- Support medical necessity documentation
- Improve diagnosis reporting
- Maintain coding compliance
- Improve reimbursement accuracy
- Reduce rework caused by incorrect code selection
Coding accuracy also depends on documentation quality. Providers and coding teams should work together when the clinical record does not contain enough information to support the most specific diagnosis.
For organizations that need additional support, Allzone provides ICD-10 coding services for healthcare providers and supports diagnosis coding across multiple specialties.
Frequently Asked Questions About Migraine ICD-10 Codes
What is the ICD-10-CM code for migraine?
Migraine is classified under G43. The complete code depends on the migraine type and documented characteristics such as intractability and status migrainosus.
What is the ICD-10 code for unspecified migraine?
Common unspecified migraine codes are found under G43.9, including G43.909 for migraine, unspecified, not intractable, without status migrainosus.
What is the ICD-10 code for migraine without aura?
Migraine without aura is classified under G43.0. The complete code depends on intractability and status migrainosus.
What is the ICD-10 code for migraine with aura?
Migraine with aura is classified under G43.1. A complete code requires additional characters.
What is the ICD-10 code for chronic migraine?
Chronic migraine without aura is classified under G43.7. Chronic migraine with aura is classified under G43.E.
What is the ICD-10 code for hemiplegic migraine?
Hemiplegic migraine is classified under G43.4. The complete code depends on intractability and whether status migrainosus is documented.
Should G43.9 be used for every migraine?
No. G43.9 is an unspecified migraine category. When the provider documents a more specific migraine diagnosis, the appropriate specific code should be considered.
How can medical coders choose the correct migraine code?
Review the provider’s documented diagnosis, identify the migraine type, determine whether the diagnosis is intractable, determine whether status migrainosus is documented, and verify the complete code in the applicable ICD-10-CM code set.
Final Takeaway
The ICD-10 code for migraine is not limited to a single diagnosis code. The G43 category contains multiple code families that distinguish migraine type, aura, chronic migraine, hemiplegic migraine, intractability, and status migrainosus.
For FY 2027, healthcare organizations should use the current ICD-10-CM code set and verify code descriptions against the official CMS and CDC resources. Accurate provider documentation remains essential for selecting the most specific code.
For additional support with ICD-10 coding, medical coding audits, and revenue cycle operations, explore Allzone’s ICD-10 Coding Services.
Official References
