H49
Non-Billable

Paralytic strabismus

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Paralytic strabismus?

ICD-10-CM H49 is the diagnosis code for Paralytic strabismus. This code falls under the section "Disorders of ocular muscles, binocular movement, accommodation and refraction" within Chapter 7 — Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00-H59). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

â„šī¸ Excludes2

Coding Guidelines for H49

â„šī¸ Type 2 Excludes (Code separately if applicable)

The following conditions are not included in H49. If the patient has both, code each condition separately:

  • internal ophthalmoplegia (H52.51-)
  • internuclear ophthalmoplegia (H51.2-)
  • progressive supranuclear ophthalmoplegia (G23.1)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where H49 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 7 entries
H49.0Third [oculomotor] nerve palsyNon-BillableH49.00Third [oculomotor] nerve palsy, unspecified eyeBillableH49.01Third [oculomotor] nerve palsy, right eyeBillableH49.02Third [oculomotor] nerve palsy, left eyeBillableH49.03Third [oculomotor] nerve palsy, bilateralBillableH49.1Fourth [trochlear] nerve palsyNon-BillableH49.10Fourth [trochlear] nerve palsy, unspecified eyeBillableH49.11Fourth [trochlear] nerve palsy, right eyeBillableH49.12Fourth [trochlear] nerve palsy, left eyeBillableH49.13Fourth [trochlear] nerve palsy, bilateralBillableH49.2Sixth [abducent] nerve palsyNon-BillableH49.20Sixth [abducent] nerve palsy, unspecified eyeBillableH49.21Sixth [abducent] nerve palsy, right eyeBillableH49.22Sixth [abducent] nerve palsy, left eyeBillableH49.23Sixth [abducent] nerve palsy, bilateralBillableH49.3Total (external) ophthalmoplegiaNon-BillableH49.30Total (external) ophthalmoplegia, unspecified eyeBillableH49.31Total (external) ophthalmoplegia, right eyeBillableH49.32Total (external) ophthalmoplegia, left eyeBillableH49.33Total (external) ophthalmoplegia, bilateralBillableH49.4Progressive external ophthalmoplegiaNon-BillableH49.40Progressive external ophthalmoplegia, unspecified eyeBillableH49.41Progressive external ophthalmoplegia, right eyeBillableH49.42Progressive external ophthalmoplegia, left eyeBillableH49.43Progressive external ophthalmoplegia, bilateralBillableH49.8Other paralytic strabismusNon-BillableH49.81Kearns-Sayre syndromeNon-BillableH49.811Kearns-Sayre syndrome, right eyeBillableH49.812Kearns-Sayre syndrome, left eyeBillableH49.813Kearns-Sayre syndrome, bilateralBillableH49.819Kearns-Sayre syndrome, unspecified eyeBillableH49.88Other paralytic strabismusNon-BillableH49.881Other paralytic strabismus, right eyeBillableH49.882Other paralytic strabismus, left eyeBillableH49.883Other paralytic strabismus, bilateralBillableH49.889Other paralytic strabismus, unspecified eyeBillableH49.9Unspecified paralytic strabismusBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is H49 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, H49 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does H49 mean?

H49 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Paralytic strabismus". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is H49 in?

H49 is located in Section H49-H52 — "Disorders of ocular muscles, binocular movement, accommodation and refraction" within Chapter 7 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of H49?

H49 has 7 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: H49.0, H49.1, H49.2, H49.3, H49.4 and more.

When should I use H49?

Use H49 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Paralytic strabismus" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Paralytic strabismus?

The ICD-10-CM code for Paralytic strabismus is H49.

Can H49 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, H49 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is H49 in?

H49 is in Chapter 7 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

Is H49 valid for 2026?

Yes, H49 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousH47.9Unspecified disorder of visual pathwaysNext →H49.0Third [oculomotor] nerve palsy
Code Details
H49
Paralytic strabismus
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
7 — Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00-H59)
H49-H52 — Disorders of ocular muscles, binocular movement, accommodation and refraction
2026 ICD-10-CM