2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A15Respiratory tuberculosis

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A15-A19›A15

ICD-10-CM A15
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

A15 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for respiratory tuberculosis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as A15.0, A15.4, A15.5, and A15.6.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
A15
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Respiratory tuberculosis
Short Description
Respiratory tuberculosis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
A15-A19
Tuberculosis

Code Classification

ChapterA00–B99Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
SectionA15-A19Tuberculosis
CategoryA15Respiratory tuberculosis
This CodeA15Respiratory tuberculosis

Specific Coding for Respiratory tuberculosisOverview

Non-specific codes like A15 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use A15.0 for Tuberculosis of lung

  • Use A15.4 for Tuberculosis of intrathoracic lymph nodes

  • Use A15.5 for Tuberculosis of larynx, trachea and bronchus

  • Use A15.6 for Tuberculous pleurisy

  • Use A15.7 for Primary respiratory tuberculosis

  • Use A15.8 for Other respiratory tuberculosis

  • Use A15.9 for Respiratory tuberculosis unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to A15: its own notes plus those printed at block A15-A19 and Chapter 1. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

From Block A15-A19 Tuberculosis applies to 51 codes
  • infections due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis
From Chapter 1 (A00-B99) Certain infectious and parasitic diseases applies to 1,068 codes
  • diseases generally recognized as communicable or transmissible

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From Block A15-A19 Tuberculosis applies to 51 codes
  • congenital tuberculosis (P37.0)
  • nonspecific reaction to test for tuberculosis without active tuberculosis (R76.1-)
  • pneumoconiosis associated with tuberculosis, any type in A15 (J65)
  • positive PPD (R76.11)
  • positive tuberculin skin test without active tuberculosis (R76.11)
  • sequelae of tuberculosis (B90.-)
  • silicotuberculosis (J65)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Chapter 1 (A00-B99) Certain infectious and parasitic diseases applies to 1,068 codes
  • carrier or suspected carrier of infectious disease (Z22.-)
  • certain localized infections - see body system-related chapters
  • infectious and parasitic diseases complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O98.-)
  • infectious and parasitic diseases specific to the perinatal period (P35-P39)
  • influenza and other acute respiratory infections (J00-J22)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From Block A15-A19 Tuberculosis applies to 51 codes
  • code, if applicable, for associated cachexia (E88.A)
From Chapter 1 (A00-B99) Certain infectious and parasitic diseases applies to 1,068 codes
  • code to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16.-)

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name A15, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 2

These notes mention A15.

  • J65 Pneumoconiosis associated with tuberculosis
    Any condition in J60-J64 with tuberculosis, any type in A15
  • O98.0 Tuberculosis complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
    Conditions in A15-A19

Excludes1 9

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming A15: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • Block A15-A19 Tuberculosis
    pneumoconiosis associated with tuberculosis, any type in A15 (J65)
  • J60 Coalworker's pneumoconiosis
    coalworker pneumoconiosis with tuberculosis, any type in A15 (J65)
  • J61 Pneumoconiosis due to asbestos and other mineral fibers
    pneumoconiosis with tuberculosis, any type in A15 (J65)
  • J62 Pneumoconiosis due to dust containing silica
    pneumoconiosis with tuberculosis, any type in A15 (J65)
  • J63 Pneumoconiosis due to other inorganic dusts
    pneumoconiosis with tuberculosis, any type in A15 (J65)
  • J64 Unspecified pneumoconiosis
    pneumonoconiosis with tuberculosis, any type in A15 (J65)
  • J93 Pneumothorax and air leak
    tuberculous (current disease) pneumothorax (A15.-)
  • J94 Other pleural conditions
    tuberculous pleural conditions (current disease) (A15.-)
  • J98.11 Atelectasis
    tuberculous atelectasis (current disease) (A15)

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming A15: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • A31 Infection due to other mycobacteria
    tuberculosis (A15-A19)

Code Also 1

These codes say A15 may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.

Patient EducationClinical

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that usually attacks the lungs. But it can also attack other parts of the body, including the kidneys, spine, and brain.

The full article covers:

  • What is tuberculosis (TB)?
  • What causes tuberculosis (TB)?
  • Who is more likely to get infected with tuberculosis (TB) germs?
  • Who is more likely to develop TB disease?
  • What are the symptoms of tuberculosis (TB)?
  • How is tuberculosis (TB) diagnosed?
  • What is the treatment for tuberculosis (TB)?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About A15Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for respiratory tuberculosis?

A15 is the ICD-10-CM category for respiratory tuberculosis, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is A15 (Respiratory tuberculosis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for respiratory tuberculosis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for respiratory tuberculosis need a more specific code from this category, such as A15.0, A15.4, and A15.5.

Can A15 be reported with P37.0?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block A15-A19, which applies to A15, lists "congenital tuberculosis (P37.0)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).