Many people suffer from traumatic brain injury every year. Some individuals return to baseline functioning, whereas others experience lasting effects. For patients where a prior TBI matters for care of today, the Z87.820 (ICD-10 code for personal history of traumatic brain injury) is used to capture that history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, we’ll describe the how, when, what, and why of reporting Z87. 820. It also reviews other related codes, such as the ICD-10 code for head trauma and traumatic subdural hematoma ICD-10, to avoid regular mistakes for the correct payment of all services provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Z87.820 means a personal history of traumatic brain injury. It captures the history of an individual about when he had a brain injury, but that injury is still affecting his mental health. This code doesn\u2019t show that the injury is still active; rather, it shows that it still matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is common during retroactive payment adjustments involving prior TBI, whether it is a concussion, closed head injury, or traumatic subdural hematoma ICD-10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utilize Z87.820 only if the brain injury sustained is no longer receiving treatment. In this case, the history should be relevant to the visit on record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might use it if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 \u00a0 A patient is suffering from chronic headaches, memory loss, or both, and has a total brain injury ICD-10 in the history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 \u00a0 They are undergoing treatment for post-head trauma ICD-10 mood disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 \u00a0 You are assessing post-traumatic brain injury ICD-10 seizures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If relevant, you may also add, ICD-10 code history of stroke, personal history of stroke ICD-10, or ICD-10 history of CVA if the patient has a stroke history. Those codes will only be appropriate if they apply to the visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do not mix active problems with history. Use current condition codes if the TBI is still being managed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These apply to active TBI:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 S06.9X9A \u2013 for unspecified intracranial injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 S06.5X0A \u2013 for a current traumatic subdural hematoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 S09.90XA \u2013 for closed head injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can use Z87.820 when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The injury is no longer present<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 A past injury that has links to the current symptom is present<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 The provider documentation states that it is a relevant history for care or risk assessment<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This code can also pair with others, like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ICD-10 for TBI-related seizures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n ICD 10 history of CVA<\/strong>, if there\u2019s a stroke in the past too<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s a quick do\/don\u2019t list to help you code it right:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always back it up with a good note. Without proof in the documentation, your claim might get denied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s look at how Z87.820 works with other ICD-10 codes in real-world visits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before billing for Z87.820, ensure your chart notifies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 Dates of the prior injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 Current symptoms relevant to the injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 Explanation of the significance of the history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 Its impact on the care plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Insurance may deny your claim if these details are not provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The effects of a former TBI are long-standing. They might involve seizures, changes in thinking, or a higher risk of falls. A patient\u2019s history is relevant and important. The patient\u2019s narrative history can and should be captured with ICD-10 code Z87.820. This also ensures billing is accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The same principle applies when patients have other neurologic problems. These include ICD-10 history of stroke, head trauma, and past traumatic subdural hematoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBilling Tips for Z87.820<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do<\/strong><\/td> Don’t<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Use with resolved TBIs that still affect health<\/td> Use it for current brain injuries<\/td><\/tr> Document why the TBI history matters today<\/td> Skip the note and hope for the best<\/td><\/tr> Pair with codes like ICD-10 code for history of stroke if needed<\/td> Use it instead of active TBI codes like the TBI ICD-10 code<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Clinical Scenarios: When to Use Z87.820<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Scenario<\/strong><\/td> Main Code<\/strong><\/td> History Code(s)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Memory trouble after old TBI<\/td> G31.84<\/td> Z87.820<\/td><\/tr> Depression linked to prior TBI ICD-10.<\/td> F33.9<\/td> Z87.820<\/td><\/tr> Routine checkup for someone with stroke and TBI history<\/td> Z00.00<\/td> Z87.820 + Z86.73<\/td><\/tr> Seizures following old brain injury<\/td> G40.909<\/td> Z87.820<\/td><\/tr> Follow-up after surgery from prior ICD-10 for TBI<\/td> Z09<\/td> Z87.820<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Documentation checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n