ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for myelitis
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Myelitis (acute) (ascending) (childhood) (chronic) (descending) (diffuse) (disseminated) (idiopathic) (pressure) (progressive) (spinal cord) (subacute)”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding myelitis
The ICD-10-CM code for myelitis is G04.91 (Myelitis, unspecified). The official index lists 17 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on G04.91.
Within G04.9, choose G04.91 (Myelitis, unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: encephalitis and encephalomyelitis, unspecified (G04.90).
As a secondary diagnosis it is an MCC (major complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the highest-paying "with MCC" MS-DRG of its family, unless the principal diagnosis excludes it.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 023 (Craniotomy with Major Device Implant or Acute Complex CNS Principal Diagnosis with MCC or Antineoplastic Implant or Epilepsy with Neurostimulator, relative weight 5.7444), DRG 024 (Craniotomy with Major Device Implant or Acute Complex CNS Principal Diagnosis without MCC, relative weight 3.9708), DRG 097 (Non-Bacterial Infection of Nervous System Except Viral Meningitis with MCC, relative weight 3.8226), DRG 098 (Non-Bacterial Infection of Nervous System Except Viral Meningitis with CC, relative weight 2.2706), DRG 099 (Non-Bacterial Infection of Nervous System Except Viral Meningitis without CC/MCC, relative weight 1.5256), DRG 974 (HIV with Major Related Condition with MCC, relative weight 3.0506) and 2 more, in MDC 01 (Diseases and Disorders of the Nervous System) and MDC 25 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
More specific myelitis codes (official index)
- flaccid G04.82 — Acute flaccid myelitis
- herpes simplex B00.82 — Herpes simplex myelitis
- herpes zoster B02.24 — Postherpetic myelitis
- in diseases classified elsewhere G05.4 — Myelitis in diseases classified elsewhere
- necrotizing, subacute G37.4 — Subacute necrotizing myelitis of central nervous system
- optic neuritis in G36.0 — Neuromyelitis optica [Devic]
- postchickenpox B01.12 — Varicella myelitis
- postherpetic B02.24 — Postherpetic myelitis
- postimmunization G04.02 — Postimmunization acute disseminated encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis
- postinfectious NEC G04.89 — Other myelitis
- postvaccinal G04.02 — Postimmunization acute disseminated encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis
- specified NEC G04.89 — Other myelitis
- syphilitic (transverse) A52.14 — Late syphilitic encephalitis
- toxic G92.9 — Unspecified toxic encephalopathy
- transverse (in demyelinating diseases of central nervous system) G37.3 — Acute transverse myelitis in demyelinating disease of central nervous system
- tuberculous A17.82 — Tuberculous meningoencephalitis
- varicella B01.12 — Varicella myelitis
Common questions about myelitis ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for myelitis?
- G04.91 — Myelitis, unspecified. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: G04.82, B00.82, B02.24, G05.4 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for flaccid myelitis?
- G04.82 — Acute flaccid myelitis.
What is the ICD-10 code for herpes simplex myelitis?
- B00.82 — Herpes simplex myelitis.
What is the ICD-10 code for herpes zoster myelitis?
- B02.24 — Postherpetic myelitis.
What is the ICD-10 code for optic neuritis in myelitis?
- G36.0 — Neuromyelitis optica [Devic].
What is the ICD-10 code for postchickenpox myelitis?
- B01.12 — Varicella myelitis.
What is the ICD-10 code for postherpetic myelitis?
- B02.24 — Postherpetic myelitis.
Is G04.91 billable?
- Yes. G04.91 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can G04.91 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict G04.91 as a principal diagnosis.
Is G04.91 a CC or MCC?
- G04.91 is an MCC (major complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.