What is the ICD-10-CM code to report for a patient diagnosed with Bell's Palsy?

The appropriate ICD-10-CM code to report for a patient diagnosed with Bell's Palsy is G51.0. This specific code is designated for "Bell's palsy," which is a condition that leads to sudden, temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face, often linked to inflammation of the facial nerve.

Using G51.0 ensures that the medical record accurately reflects this particular neurological condition, allowing for appropriate treatment and documentation. The inclusion of this precise code also aids in the collection of data for epidemiological studies and can support the patient’s treatment claims for reimbursement from insurance providers.

In contrast, G50.0 refers to "Trigeminal neuralgia," which is a different condition associated with pain in the trigeminal nerve, while G54.0 identifies "Syndrome of the intermittent claudication of the lower limb," and G52.0 pertains to "Other specified disorders of the nervous system." None of these codes relate to Bell's Palsy, further emphasizing the importance of using G51.0 for accurate reporting.