ICD-10 Guide

Herpes

ICD-10 Coding for Herpes(B00.0, A60.0)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYDermatology

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Herpes?

Essential facts and insights about Herpes

Key Clinical Considerations:

Painful vesicular lesions on the skin or mucous membranes
PCR testing for HSV DNA, viral culture, or serologic testing for HSV antibodies
Erythema, vesicles, and ulcerations on physical examination

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Patient history of previous herpes infections or outbreaks
Specific location and description of lesions
Date of onset and duration of symptoms

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Use B00.1 for unspecified herpes, B00.2 for labialis, and B00.3 for genitalis.
Common errors include using the wrong code for the type of herpes.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Other viral infections causing similar symptoms
Alternative codes for herpes zoster (shingles)

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Dermatology

Specialty Applications

All patient populations, particularly sexually active individuals and immunocompromised patients
Dermatology clinics, urgent care, and primary care settings

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

Comprehensive clinical documentation
Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
Proper exclusion considerations
Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Ensure proper documentation for billing
Verify code specificity requirements
Check for any additional codes needed
Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

Insufficient clinical documentation
Incorrect code selection
Missing supporting diagnoses
Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Document the type of herpes, location, and patient history.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect the specific type of herpes for proper reimbursement.

Herpes

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?

Herpes

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?