When is ICD-10 code G05 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code G05 when recording encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis in diseases classified elsewhere in a standardized format. This entry may also act as a broader category that points toward more specific child codes.

Does ICD-10 code G05 confirm a diagnosis?

No. A code helps standardize documentation and claims, but it should not be read as a substitute for a clinician's full assessment.

ICD10

ICD-10 Code G05: Encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis in diseases classified elsewhere

Name: ICD-10 Code G05: Encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis in diseases classified elsewhere
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T06:06:45.180Z

G05 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis in diseases classified elsewhere. You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen. ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the nervous system (G00-G99).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the nervous system (G00-G99).

When is it used?

May be used when a clinician documents encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis in diseases classified elsewhere in a patient's medical record.
May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.

What it does not mean

A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.

Code hierarchy

chapter

6Diseases of the nervous system (G00-G99)

block

G00-G09Inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system

currentG00-G09

Official coding notes

Applicable to

underlying disease, such as:
congenital toxoplasmosis encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (P37.1)
cytomegaloviral encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (B25.8)
encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (in) systemic lupus erythematosus (M32.19)
eosinophilic meningoencephalitis (B83.2)
human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease (B20)
poliovirus (A80.-)
suppurative otitis media (H66.01-H66.4)
systemic lupus erythematosus (M32.19)
trichinellosis (B75)

Excludes1 (do not code together)

adenoviral encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (A85.1)
encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (in) measles (B05.0)
enteroviral encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (A85.0)
herpesviral [herpes simplex] encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (B00.4)
listerial encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (A32.12)
meningococcal encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (A39.81)
mumps encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (B26.2)
postchickenpox encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (B01.1-)
rubella encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (B06.01)
toxoplasmosis encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (B58.2)
zoster encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (B02.0)

Code first

underlying disease, such as:
congenital toxoplasmosis encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (P37.1)
cytomegaloviral encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (B25.8)
encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis (in) systemic lupus erythematosus (M32.19)
eosinophilic meningoencephalitis (B83.2)
human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease (B20)
poliovirus (A80.-)
suppurative otitis media (H66.01-H66.4)
systemic lupus erythematosus (M32.19)
trichinellosis (B75)

Where you may see this code

You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.

Related specialists

NeurologistGeneral Physician

Sibling codes

G00Bacterial meningitis, not elsewhere classified G01Meningitis in bacterial diseases classified elsewherebillable G02Meningitis in other infectious and parasitic diseases classified elsewherebillable G03Meningitis due to other and unspecified causes G04Encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis G06Intracranial and intraspinal abscess and granuloma G07Intracranial and intraspinal abscess and granuloma in diseases classified elsewherebillable G08Intracranial and intraspinal phlebitis and thrombophlebitisbillable G09Sequelae of inflammatory diseases of central nervous systembillable

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.

Legacy codes

G05

Replacement codes

G05.3 — Encephalitis and encephalomyelitis in diseases classified elsewhereG05.4 — Myelitis in diseases classified elsewhere

Common synonyms

Encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis in diseases classified elsewhere

Frequently asked questions

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.