Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
ICD-10-CM H49.81 is the diagnosis code for Kearns-Sayre syndrome. 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.
Understanding where H49.81 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:
No, H49.81 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.
H49.81 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Kearns-Sayre syndrome". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.
The parent code of H49.81 is H49.8 ("Other paralytic strabismus"). H49.81 provides a more specific classification within this category.
H49.81 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.
H49.81 has 4 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: H49.811, H49.812, H49.813, H49.819.
Use H49.81 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Kearns-Sayre syndrome" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.
The ICD-10-CM code for Kearns-Sayre syndrome is H49.81.
No, H49.81 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.
H49.81 is in Chapter 7 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Yes, H49.81 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.