Acute post-traumatic headache, not intractable

This code describes a headache that develops shortly after a traumatic event, such as a concussion or head injury, and is not resistant to standard medical treatment. It signifies a new onset headache directly attributable to the trauma, without chronic or severe, unmanageable symptoms.

Use this code when documentation clearly states a patient is experiencing a headache following a recent head injury, and the headache is responsive to treatment. This applies to cases where the headache is acute in nature and has not progressed to a chronic or intractable state.

• Ensure documentation specifies the headache is "acute" and "not intractable."
• Always code the underlying head injury or trauma first, as this headache is a sequela.
• Distinguish from chronic post-traumatic headache (G44.32x) and intractable forms (G44.31x with a 1 or 3 as the 5th digit).