2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A38.0Scarlet fever with otitis media

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A30-A49›A38

ICD-10-CM A38.0
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

A38.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for scarlet fever with otitis media. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 867 through 869. Coders also document this condition as otitis media due to scarlet fever. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Bacterial infections and Otitis media.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
A38.0
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Scarlet fever with otitis media
Short Description
Scarlet fever with otitis media
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
A38
Scarlet fever

Code Classification

ChapterA00–B99Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
SectionA30-A49Other bacterial diseases
CategoryA38Scarlet fever
This CodeA38.0Scarlet fever with otitis media

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Otitis media due to scarlet fever

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Otitis(acute)
      • media (hemorrhagic) (staphylococcal) (streptococcal)
        • acute, subacute
          • necrotizing
            • in
              • scarlet fever
    • Otitis(acute)
      • media (hemorrhagic) (staphylococcal) (streptococcal)
        • in (due to) (with)
          • scarlet fever
    • Scarlatina(anginosa) (maligna)
      • otitis media

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR INF003
Bacterial infections
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No
CCSR EAR001
Otitis media
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Scarlet Fever

    infection with group a streptococci that is characterized by tonsillitis and pharyngitis. an erythematous rash is commonly present.

  • Scarlet Fever

    a streptococcal infection, mainly occurring among children, that is characterized by a red skin rash, sore throat, and fever.

Patient EducationClinical

Ear Infections

Ear infections are the most common reason parents bring their child to a doctor. Three out of four children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday. Adults can also get ear infections, but they are less common.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert A38.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
034.1 Scarlet fever
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About A38.0Overview

Is A38.0 (Scarlet fever) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report scarlet fever with otitis media on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does A38.0 group to?

When scarlet fever with otitis media is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 867, 868, 869, with relative weights from 0.7297 to 2.0932 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of A38.0?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, scarlet fever with otitis media converts to ICD-9-CM 034.1 (scarlet fever). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.