2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G89

Pain, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Code:
G89
ICD-10 Code for:
Pain, not elsewhere classified
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

G89 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of pain, not elsewhere classified. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2026 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Pain, not elsewhere classified

Non-specific codes like G89 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for pain, not elsewhere classified:

  • Use G89.0 for Central pain syndrome - BILLABLE CODE

  • G89.1 for Acute pain, not elsewhere classified - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use G89.11 for Acute pain due to trauma - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use G89.12 for Acute post-thoracotomy pain - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use G89.18 for Other acute postprocedural pain - BILLABLE CODE

  • G89.2 for Chronic pain, not elsewhere classified - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use G89.21 for Chronic pain due to trauma - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use G89.22 for Chronic post-thoracotomy pain - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use G89.28 for Other chronic postprocedural pain - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use G89.29 for Other chronic pain - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use G89.3 for Neoplasm related pain (acute) (chronic) - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use G89.4 for Chronic pain syndrome - BILLABLE CODE

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the nervous system
    G00–G99
    • Other disorders of the nervous system
      G89-G99
      • Pain, not elsewhere classified
        G89

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Code Also

Code Also
A "code also" note instructs that two codes may be required to fully describe a condition, but this note does not provide sequencing direction.
  • related psychological factors associated with pain F45.42

Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • generalized pain NOS R52
  • pain disorders exclusively related to psychological factors F45.41
  • pain NOS R52

Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.

Patient Education


Pain

What is pain?

Pain is a signal in your nervous system that something may be wrong. It is an unpleasant feeling, such as a prick, tingle, sting, burn, or ache. Each person feels pain differently, even if the reason for the pain is the same. Pain may be sharp or dull. It may be mild or severe. Pain may come and go, or it may be constant. You may feel pain in one area of your body, such as your back, abdomen, chest, or pelvis, or you may feel it all over.

Pain can help alert you that there is a problem. If you never felt pain, you might seriously hurt yourself without knowing it, or you might not realize you have a medical problem that needs treatment. Finding out what's causing your pain will help your health care provider determine the best way to manage or treat it.

What are the types of pain?

Patterns and types of pain are named based on how long and how often you have pain. These include:

  • Acute pain usually happens suddenly because of a disease, injury, or inflammation (irritation, redness, and/or swelling). This type of pain is often sharp and acts as a warning that something is wrong. It usually goes away when the cause is treated or healed, though sometimes it can turn into chronic pain. Some examples of causes of acute pain include broken bones or dental issues.
  • Chronic pain lasts for longer than three months or the time in which you should have healed. It can affect all aspects of daily life, including your mood and relationships. Some conditions that might cause chronic pain include arthritis or back problems.
  • Episodic pain can happen from time to time and may occur with long-term medical conditions. Some conditions that might cause episodic pain include sickle cell disease or chronic migraines.

Pain may also be categorized by what is likely to be the cause of the pain. Pain may be described as nociceptive (caused by tissue damage or inflammation), neuropathic (caused by nerve damage), or nociplastic (caused by changes in how your nervous system processes pain).

What causes pain?

Understanding what causes pain and why people feel it differently may be difficult. Often, it's easier to find the cause of acute pain due to an injury than the cause of chronic pain, or you may have an ongoing cause of pain, such as cancer.

In some cases, there is no clear cause. Environmental factors and psychological factors such as stress and beliefs about pain may affect the way you feel pain and respond to treatment.

How is pain diagnosed?

You are the only one who knows how your pain feels. Your provider can best measure your pain by how you report it. They may ask you:

  • Where is the pain in your body?
  • How long have you had the pain?
  • How does the pain feel, such as stinging, burning, or sharp?
  • How often do you have pain?
  • When do you feel pain, such as in the morning, evening, or all the time?
  • What relieves the pain?
  • How does pain affect your daily life?
  • Is the pain mild, moderate, or severe?
  • To rate the pain on a scale.

If the cause of your pain is unknown, your provider may also do a physical exam and order blood tests or other medical tests to help find the cause.

What are the treatments for pain?

Pain is not always curable, but there are many ways to manage and treat it. Treatment depends on the cause and type of pain. Treatments may include medicines, such as pain relievers. There are also non-drug treatments, such as acupuncture, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.

Depending on the cause of your pain and your symptoms, your provider may recommend lifestyle changes. These may include suggestions for:

  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Adding exercise
  • Losing weight
  • Managing stress
  • Improving mental health

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke


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Code History

  • FY 2026 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026
  • FY 2025 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2025
  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.