Nose Bleed ICD-10-CM Codes
Read this short guide to learn about Nose Bleed ICD codes you can use.
Fact Checked by Nate Lacson.
What Nose Bleed ICD codes can I use?
If you’re looking for Nose Bleed ICD codes, there are several that you can pick from. The main one that you’re looking for is R04.0 - Epistaxis. This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on people who have nosebleeds. Epistaxis is the medical term for nosebleeds. Please note that this ICD-10 code is not valid as a principal diagnosis because it could be a symptom of an underlying problem, so you’ll have to identify what that problem is and use the appropriate ICD-10 code.
Other ICD-10 codes that you can use for patients with nose bleed are:
- S09.92XA - Unspecified injury of nose, initial encounter
This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on patients with a nose injury, but the kind of injury is unspecified. A nose injury can cause nosebleeds, so this can be your principal diagnosis code, but if you identify the specific injury of the nose, use the corresponding ICD-10 code for that injury.
This code also comes with the initial encounter. This means that the patient is receiving active care for the problem.
- S09.92XD - Unspecified injury of nose, subsequent encounter
This is the same as Item 1, but this time, it has a subsequent encounter label, which means the patient is in the recovery phase and is still being given active/routine care for the problem.
- S09.92XS - Unspecified injury of nose, sequela
This is the same as Item 1, but this time, it has a sequela label, which means the patient is dealing with the aftereffects of the injury. Given this, this ICD-10 code should be accompanied by two other ICD-10 codes, one of which should designate the sequela’s nature, while the other should describe the sequela (meaning its effects).
- S09.90XA - Unspecified injury of head, initial encounter
This is similar to Item 1 but is an unspecified head injury this time. Head injuries such as skull fractures can result in nosebleeds.
- S09.90XD - Unspecified injury of head, subsequent encounter
This is the same as Item 4, but this time, there’s a subsequent encounter.
- S09.90XS - Unspecified injury of head, sequela
This is the same as Item 4, but there’s a sequela label this time.
Are these Nose Bleed ICD codes billable?
Yes. All of the aforementioned Nose Bleed-related ICD-10 codes are valid and billable.
Clinical Information
Injuries or breaks of the tiny blood vessels in the nose cause nosebleeds (medically referred to as Epistaxis). These small blood vessels can easily get injured or break if dry or irritated, and when they get injured/break, blood will flow and drip from the nose.
Nosebleeds are annoying because some people experience them out of the blue, sometimes in public. There’s nothing to worry about most of the time, but it wouldn’t hurt for a person to get checked for it just in case.
There are two types of nosebleeds to take note of:
- Anterior Nosebleeds: This is the most common type of nosebleed and fits what we discussed earlier about what causes it. If the capillaries and small blood vessels in the front of the nose at the septum break, then blood will flow out.
- Posterior Nosebleeds: This is less common and needs medical attention because this type of nosebleed is characterized by large blood vessels deep in the back part of our noses popping. Since the blood vessels are large, the bleeding will be heavy and may trickle down the throat since the vessels are close to the throat.
Synonyms Include
- Anterior epistaxis
- Bleeding from nose
- Blood in the nasal cavity
- Hemorrhagic nasal discharge
- Evidence of recent epistaxis
- Maternal perinatal epistaxis
- Post-surgical epistaxis
- Recurrent bleeding of the nose
- Traumatic epistaxis
Commonly asked questions
Sneezing a lot due to colds or sinusitis can cause nosebleeds. Allergic rhinitis can also cause nosebleeds. Some medications like aspirin, NSAIDs, and illegal/recreational drugs that require you to snort them can cause nosebleeds, too. Even just being in high-altitude places can cause nosebleeds.
The most basic way to stop nosebleeds is to lean your head forward to prevent the blood from dripping to your throat, breathe through your mouth, and pinch the soft part of your nose against the ridge that forms the nose’s bridge for a while to stop the bleeding.
To prevent nosebleeds, avoid picking your nose or inserting anything solid into your nostrils, don’t blow your nose forcefully, have a humidifier in the room, keep your nasal passages moist, and don’t smoke.
