2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A20Plague

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A20-A28›A20

ICD-10-CM A20
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

A20 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for plague, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as A20.0, A20.1, A20.2, and A20.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
A20
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Plague
Short Description
Plague
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
A20-A28
Certain zoonotic bacterial diseases

Code Classification

ChapterA00–B99Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
SectionA20-A28Certain zoonotic bacterial diseases
CategoryA20Plague
This CodeA20Plague

Specific Coding for PlagueOverview

Non-specific codes like A20 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use A20.0 for Bubonic plague

  • Use A20.1 for Cellulocutaneous plague

  • Use A20.2 for Pneumonic plague

  • Use A20.3 for Plague meningitis

  • Use A20.7 for Septicemic plague

  • Use A20.8 for Other forms of plague

  • Use A20.9 for Plague, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to A20: its own notes plus those printed at 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.

On A20 itself
  • infection due to Yersinia pestis
From Chapter 1 (A00-B99) Certain infectious and parasitic diseases applies to 1,068 codes
  • diseases generally recognized as communicable or transmissible

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 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 A20, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming A20: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Plague

    an acute infectious disease caused by yersinia pestis that affects humans, wild rodents, and their ectoparasites. this condition persists due to its firm entrenchment in sylvatic rodent-flea ecosystems throughout the world. bubonic plague is the most common form.

Patient EducationClinical

Plague

Plague is an infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. The bacteria are found mainly in rats and in the fleas that feed on them. People and other animals can get plague from rat or flea bites. In the past, plague destroyed entire civilizations. Today plague is uncommon, due to better living conditions and antibiotics.

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 A20Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for plague?

A20 is the ICD-10-CM category for plague, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is A20 (Plague) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for plague, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for plague need a more specific code from this category, such as A20.0, A20.1, and A20.2.