Tension-type headache, unspecified, intractable

This code signifies a persistent and severe form of tension-type headache that is resistant to standard medical treatment. It describes a chronic headache disorder characterized by a constant, dull, band-like pressure or tightness around the head, which significantly impacts the patient's quality of life and has proven difficult to manage with conventional therapies.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of tension-type headache that is explicitly stated as "intractable" or "refractory to treatment." This typically applies to patients who have undergone multiple treatment regimens without significant relief or whose headaches severely impair daily functioning despite ongoing medical intervention.

• Ensure the physician's documentation explicitly states "intractable" or "refractory" in relation to the tension-type headache.
• Do not use this code if the headache is episodic or responsive to treatment; instead, consider codes for episodic or chronic tension-type headache without intractability.
• Review for any underlying causes or comorbidities that might be contributing to the intractability, and code those conditions as well.