B00.82
BillableHerpes simplex myelitis
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 182 — Spinal Cord Disorders/Injuries
0.282V24HCC 72 — Spinal Cord Disorders/Injuries
0.464ESRDHCC 72 — Spinal Cord Disorders/Injuries
0.000RxHCCHCC 155 — Myelitis and Encephalomyelitis
0.000What This Code Means
Herpes simplex virus infection affecting the spinal cord, causing inflammation and potentially resulting in weakness or paralysis.
Coding Tips
- •Document the level of spinal cord involvement if specified
- •Distinguish from B01.12 (varicella myelitis) which is caused by chickenpox virus instead
Clinical Significance
Herpes simplex myelitis is inflammation of the spinal cord caused by HSV infection, a rare but serious neurological emergency that can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia. It requires urgent antiviral therapy and reflects significant neurological disease burden in risk adjustment.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓HSV confirmed by CSF PCR (HSV-1 or HSV-2 specified)
- ✓MRI of the spine showing myelitis pattern (T2 signal abnormality within the spinal cord)
- ✓Spinal cord level(s) involved documented (cervical, thoracic, lumbar)
- ✓Neurological examination: motor and sensory level, bowel/bladder function, reflexes
- ✓Immunological status of the patient (immunocompromised vs. immunocompetent)
Commonly Confused Codes
B01.12 (Varicella myelitis) — Myelitis from chickenpox virus (VZV), not herpes simplex; different viral etiology with similar presentationB02.24 (Postherpetic myelitis) — Myelitis following herpes zoster (shingles), which is VZV reactivation, not HSVG37.3 (Acute transverse myelitis in demyelinating disease of CNS) — Autoimmune myelitis without viral etiology; HSV myelitis is infection-drivenG04.89 (Other myelitis) — Non-specific myelitis; use B00.82 when HSV is the confirmed cause