Postherpetic Neuralgia ICD-10-CM Codes

Explore ICD-10-CM codes for postherpetic neuralgia, a nerve pain complication of shingles, including types, diagnosis, and billing details for PHN cases.

By Wynona Jugueta on Aug 8, 2025.

Fact Checked by Karina Jimenea.

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What are Postherpetic Neuralgia ICD-10-CM Codes?

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a complication of herpes zoster (shingles) characterized by persistent nerve pain. The ICD-10-CM coding system provides specific codes to classify different types of PHN based on the affected nerves or systems. Below are the relevant codes and their applications:

B02.29 – Other postherpetic nervous system involvement: This code is used for PHN cases where the nerve pain follows a shingles outbreak but does not fit more specific categories. It covers persistent neuropathic pain affecting unspecified or other parts of the nervous system after herpes zoster infection. This is the general code for PHN when postherpetic nervous system involvement is not documented.
B02.22 – Postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia: This code is specific to PHN affecting the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for sensation and motor functions in the face such as biting and chewing. Patients with this code typically experience severe facial pain following shingles involving the trigeminal neuralgia distribution.
B02.23 – Postherpetic polyneuropathy: Used when PHN affects multiple peripheral nerves, causing widespread symptoms such as altered sensation or weakness in various parts of the body. This code indicates a more diffuse nerve damage rather than a single nerve and may involve other nervous system complications.
B02.21 – Postherpetic geniculate ganglionitis: This is a rare form of PHN where the facial nerve (geniculate ganglion) is affected. It can cause severe ear pain and facial weakness, reflecting involvement of the nerve responsible for facial movements and some sensory functions around the ear. This diagnosis may also be associated with zoster eye disease and zoster keratitis in some cases.

Which postherpetic neuralgia ICD codes are billable?

The following postherpetic neuralgia ICD-10-CM codes are billable for reimbursement purposes:

B02.22 – Postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia
B02.29 – Other postherpetic nervous system involvement
B02.23 – Postherpetic polyneuropathy
B02.21 – Postherpetic geniculate ganglionitis

All these codes are valid, specific, and recognized as billable codes, meaning they can be used to document and bill for confirmed diagnoses of postherpetic neuralgia.

Clinical information about postherpetic neuralgia

Postherpetic neuralgia is a complication that arises from the wake of shingles, a common infectious disease.

If you've had chickenpox before, you should know that the virus that caused it, known as the varicella zoster virus, doesn't leave your body entirely even after it has come and gone. The virus will leave remnants in our cells and may reactivate.

If this virus reactivates, it will cause shingles (also called zona zoster), which are annoyingly itchy and painful rashes. These rashes will eventually become blisters. Once these blisters disappear, the affected area can remain painful. If pain remains in the wake of herpes zoster, that's what healthcare professionals call postherpetic neuralgia—a type of nervous system involvement.

Those with this will likely describe their pain as aching, burning, or jabbing. Some people might feel numb in the affected area. Whichever pain they think will be accompanied by constant itchiness. This nerve pain may also be associated with post herpetic complications like postherpetic geniculate ganglionitis or other complications involving parasitic diseases or other nervous system involvement, depending on the severity of the outbreak and response to treatments or medications provided through healthcare services.

Synonyms include:

Postherpetic neuralgia
Post-herpetic trigeminal neuralgia
Postinfectious neuralgia
Postinfective peripheral neuralgia
Acute herpes zoster neuropathy
Acute trigeminal herpes zoster
Intercostal post-herpetic neuralgia

Commonly asked questions

The ICD-10 code for postherpetic neuralgia depends on the type and location of nerve involvement. Common codes include B02.22 (postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia), B02.23 (postherpetic polyneuropathy), B02.21 (postherpetic geniculate ganglionitis), and B02.29 (other postherpetic nervous system involvement).

Postherpetic neuralgia is a complication of herpes zoster (shingles) that causes persistent nerve pain even after the shingles rash has healed. It occurs due to nerve damage caused by the varicella zoster virus reactivating in the body.

Postherpetic neuralgia is a specific type of neuropathy that develops after a shingles infection. While both involve nerve pain, PHN is directly linked to the nerve damage caused by the varicella zoster virus.

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