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R52 ICD-10-CM Code: Pain, unspecified

R52 is the billable ICD-10-CM code for “Pain, unspecified” in the FY 2027 U.S. code set, effective Oct 1, 2026.

Official description

R52

Pain, unspecified

ICD-10-CM diagnosis code · United States clinical modification

Coding tips for R52

Pain NOS, generalized pain NOS or acute pain NOS, with no site.

What to document

  • Pain at a known site is coded to the site, such as M54.50 for low back pain or M25.5- for joint pain.
  • Acute, chronic, postprocedural or neoplasm-related pain goes to a G89 code.

Watch for

  • R52 excludes G89: don’t report them together.

Codes that look alike

G89.29Other chronic painM54.50Low back pain, unspecifiedM25.50Pain in unspecified jointR10.9Unspecified abdominal pain
ICD-10-CM notes for R52ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, FY 2027, Section I.C.6.b.1

Where R52 sits

  1. 1

    Chapter 18

    Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)

  2. 2

    Section

    General symptoms and signs (R50-R69)

  3. 3

    Category R52

    Pain, unspecified

  4. 4

    Code R52

    Pain, unspecified

Notes for this code

Inclusion terms

  • Acute pain NOS
  • Generalized pain NOS
  • Pain NOS

Code first

No “code first” instruction is listed for R52.

Use additional code

No “use additional code” instruction is listed for R52.

Excludes1

Conditions that should not be reported together with this code.

  • acute and chronic pain, not elsewhere classified (G89.-)
  • localized pain, unspecified type - code to pain by site, such as:
  • abdomen pain (R10.-)
  • back pain (M54.9)
  • breast pain (N64.4)
  • chest pain (R07.1-R07.9)
  • ear pain (H92.0-)
  • eye pain (H57.1)
  • headache (R51.9)
  • joint pain (M25.5-)
  • limb pain (M79.6-)
  • lumbar region pain (M54.5-)
  • pelvic and perineal pain (R10.2-)
  • shoulder pain (M25.51-)
  • spine pain (M54.-)
  • throat pain (R07.0)
  • tongue pain (K14.6)
  • tooth pain (K08.8)
  • renal colic (N23)
  • pain disorders exclusively related to psychological factors (F45.41)

Excludes2

Conditions not included here that may be reported separately when present.

No Excludes2 note is listed for R52.

Source and release

Data release
U.S. ICD-10-CM · FY 2027
Effective date
Oct 1, 2026

This reference is generated from Vero’s ICD-10-CM description, hierarchy, and code-note dataset. The visible content and structured data share that source.

Review the CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM source

Frequently asked questions

What does ICD-10-CM code R52 mean?

R52 is the FY 2027 U.S. ICD-10-CM code for “Pain, unspecified.”

Is R52 a billable or specific ICD-10-CM code?

Yes. In the FY 2027 reference data used on this page, R52 has no child codes and is presented as a billable/specific code. Always confirm the active code set and payer requirements before use.

Where is R52 located in ICD-10-CM?

R52 is listed in Chapter 18, Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99), within General symptoms and signs (R50-R69) (R50–R69), under category R52, Pain, unspecified.

What coding notes are listed for R52?

Its listed inclusion terms are Acute pain NOS; Generalized pain NOS; Pain NOS. No code-first instruction is listed. Excludes1 notes: acute and chronic pain, not elsewhere classified (G89.-); localized pain, unspecified type - code to pain by site, such as:; abdomen pain (R10.-); back pain (M54.9); breast pain (N64.4); chest pain (R07.1-R07.9); ear pain (H92.0-); eye pain (H57.1); headache (R51.9); joint pain (M25.5-); limb pain (M79.6-); lumbar region pain (M54.5-); pelvic and perineal pain (R10.2-); shoulder pain (M25.51-); spine pain (M54.-); throat pain (R07.0); tongue pain (K14.6); tooth pain (K08.8); renal colic (N23); pain disorders exclusively related to psychological factors (F45.41). No Excludes2 note is listed.