2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A38.9Scarlet fever, uncomplicated
ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A30-A49›A38
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- CC — Complication or Comorbidity
- Not Chronic
A38.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for scarlet fever, uncomplicated. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 867 through 869. As a secondary diagnosis, it counts as a complication or comorbidity (CC) and moves an inpatient stay to a higher severity level within its MS-DRG family. It does not count, however, when the principal diagnosis is one of 8 closely related codes. Coders also document this condition as scarlet fever. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Bacterial infections.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Scarlet fever
- Streptococcal sore throat with scarlatina
- Streptococcus pyogenes infection
Instructional NotesGuidance
Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to A38.9: its own notes plus those printed at A38 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.
- scarlatina
- diseases generally recognized as communicable or transmissible
Applicable To
Conditions this code is used for: synonyms of the title or, for "other specified" codes, the conditions assigned to it. The list is not exhaustive.
- Scarlet fever, NOS
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.
- 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.
- 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 A38.9, its category, or a range that includes it.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
rash A38.9
Disease, diseased See Also: Syndrome;
Febris, febrile See Also: Fever;
rubra A38.9
disease (trigeminal neuralgia) See Also: Neuralgia, trigeminal;
scarlatina anginosa A38.9
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Scarlet Fever
infection with group a streptococci that is characterized by tonsillitis and pharyngitis. an erythematous rash is commonly present.
Patient EducationClinical
Streptococcal Infections
Strep is short for Streptococcus, a type of bacteria that often lives in your nose and throat. Most strep infections are mild, but some may become serious depending on your overall health.
The full article covers:
- What are streptococcal infections?
- How do streptococcal infections spread?
- Who is more likely to get a streptococcal infection?
- What are the symptoms of streptococcal infections?
- How are streptococcal infections diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for streptococcal infections?
- Can streptococcal infections be prevented?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert A38.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About A38.9Overview
What is the ICD-10 code for scarlet fever, uncomplicated?
The ICD-10-CM code for scarlet fever, uncomplicated is A38.9 (sometimes written as A389). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is A38.9 (Scarlet fever) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report scarlet fever, uncomplicated on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What MS-DRG does A38.9 group to?
When scarlet fever, uncomplicated is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 867, 869, 868, with relative weights from 0.6784 to 2.1855 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is A38.9 a CC or MCC?
CMS lists A38.9 as a CC (complication or comorbidity) for FY 2027. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, it moves the inpatient stay to a higher-weighted DRG within its severity family. It does not count when the principal diagnosis is one of the 8 closely related codes in its exclusion list.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of A38.9?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, scarlet fever, uncomplicated converts to ICD-9-CM 034.1 (scarlet fever). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
