Bell's palsy

This code represents an acute, idiopathic peripheral facial nerve palsy, characterized by sudden onset of unilateral facial muscle weakness or paralysis. It results from inflammation or compression of the seventh cranial nerve, leading to symptoms such as drooping of the mouth, inability to close the eye, and loss of taste sensation on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of Bell's palsy. This typically involves a clinical presentation of acute unilateral facial paralysis without an identifiable underlying cause. Supporting documentation should rule out other conditions that can cause facial paralysis, such as stroke, tumor, or trauma.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "idiopathic" or "Bell's palsy" to differentiate from other causes of facial nerve paralysis.
• Do not use this code if the facial paralysis is secondary to another condition; instead, code the underlying cause.
• Consider laterality if specified in the documentation, though this code is inherently unilateral.