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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesNerve, nerve root and plexus disordersICD-10-CM g51-facial-nerve-disorders
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Facial Nerve Disorders: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group G51 includes conditions affecting the facial nerve such as Bell palsy, facial paralysis due to trauma, and other peripheral facial nerve disorders that impair facial movement and expression. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document a range of clinical scenarios capturing disease severity, unilateral or bilateral involvement, and associated functional deficits relevant to facial nerve dysfunction. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM G51 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM G51: Facial Nerve Disorders Overview

    The ICD-10-CM G51 group covers disorders of the facial nerve, including acute and chronic paralysis, paresis, and other functional disturbances of cranial nerve VII that affect facial movement, expression, and eye closure. These diagnoses target the peripheral nervous system supplying the muscles of facial expression and can result from infectious, inflammatory, idiopathic, traumatic, or neoplastic causes. Accurate coding matters for appropriate claim processing and reflecting clinical complexity that impacts patient management and resource use.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when clinical documentation indicates facial nerve dysfunction such as Bell palsy, traumatic facial nerve injury, or other specified facial paralysis. Select the code that reflects laterality, acuity, and any documented underlying cause or associated complications when available.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    10 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    G51.0Bell's palsy
    G51.1Geniculate ganglionitis
    G51.2Melkersson's syndrome
    G51.31Clonic hemifacial spasm, right
    G51.32Clonic hemifacial spasm, left
    G51.33Clonic hemifacial spasm, bilateral
    G51.39Clonic hemifacial spasm, unspecified
    G51.4Facial myokymia
    G51.8Other disorders of facial nerve
    G51.9Disorder of facial nerve, unspecified

    DRG Codes

    2 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    073Cranial and Peripheral Nerve Disorders with MCC
    074Cranial and Peripheral Nerve Disorders without MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An adult presents to the emergency department with sudden, unilateral facial weakness that developed over 24–48 hours, inability to close the eye on the affected side, drooping of the mouth, and hyperacusis. Examination excludes stroke and ear infection; Bell palsy is suspected after history and neurologic exam, prompting diagnosis from this group for an acute peripheral facial nerve palsy. Typical codes: G51.0, G51.9
    • A middle-aged patient with a history of varicella-zoster infection of the ear (herpes zoster oticus) complains of facial paralysis accompanied by ear pain, vesicular rash in the ear canal, and decreased taste on the anterior tongue. The clinician documents facial nerve involvement secondary to Ramsay Hunt syndrome, assigning a code reflecting facial nerve palsy due to zoster. Typical codes: G51.1, G51.9
    • A patient with chronic hemifacial spasm presents to neurology for evaluation of recurrent, involuntary contractions of muscles on one side of the face causing functional impairment and social distress. After imaging rules out acute processes and the spasms are attributed to facial nerve irritation/compression, a chronic facial nerve disorder code is used to capture the ongoing neurologic condition and guide long-term management. Typical codes: G51.3, G51.9

    Related Codes

    G50-DISORDERS-OF-TRIGEMINAL-NERVE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Trigeminal Nerve: Group Overview

    G52-DISORDERS-OF-OTHER-CRANIAL-NERVES

    ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Other Cranial Nerves: Group Overview

    G53-CRANIAL-NERVE-DISORDERS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Cranial Nerve Disorders In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

    G54-NERVE-ROOT-AND-PLEXUS-DISORDERS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Nerve Root And Plexus Disorders: Group Overview

    G55-NERVE-ROOT-AND-PLEXUS-COMPRESSIONS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Nerve Root And Plexus Compressions In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

    G56-MONONEUROPATHIES-OF-UPPER-LIMB

    ICD-10-CM Code For Mononeuropathies Of Upper Limb: Group Overview

    G57-MONONEUROPATHIES-OF-LOWER-LIMB

    ICD-10-CM Code For Mononeuropathies Of Lower Limb: Group Overview

    G58-OTHER-MONONEUROPATHIES

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Mononeuropathies: Group Overview

    G59-MONONEUROPATHY-IN-DISEASES

    ICD-10-CM Code For Mononeuropathy In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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