Migraine, unsp, intractable, without status migrainosus

This code describes a type of headache characterized by severe, throbbing pain, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. The "unspecified" nature indicates that the specific type of migraine (e.g., with aura, without aura) is not documented. "Intractable" signifies that the migraine is difficult to treat or manage, persisting despite standard therapies, but it has not progressed to status migrainosus.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of migraine without further specification of its type, and the physician notes that the condition is intractable. This applies when the patient experiences frequent or prolonged migraine attacks that are resistant to treatment, but the attack has not lasted for more than 72 hours with severe symptoms.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "intractable" and "unspecified" migraine.
• Do not use this code if the migraine type (e.g., with aura, without aura) is specified; instead, use a more specific G43 subcategory.
• Distinguish "intractable" from "status migrainosus"; the latter implies a severe migraine attack lasting over 72 hours, requiring a different code (G43.911).