2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A40Streptococcal sepsis

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A30-A49›A40

ICD-10-CM A40
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

A40 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for streptococcal sepsis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as A40.0, A40.1, A40.3, and A40.8.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
A40
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Streptococcal sepsis
Short Description
Streptococcal sepsis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
A30-A49
Other bacterial diseases

Code Classification

ChapterA00–B99Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
SectionA30-A49Other bacterial diseases
CategoryA40Streptococcal sepsis
This CodeA40Streptococcal sepsis

Specific Coding for Streptococcal sepsisOverview

Non-specific codes like A40 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use A40.0 for Sepsis due to streptococcus, group A

  • Use A40.1 for Sepsis due to streptococcus, group B

  • Use A40.3 for Sepsis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae

  • Use A40.8 for Other streptococcal sepsis

  • Use A40.9 for Streptococcal sepsis, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to A40: 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.

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.

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)

Code First

The underlying condition named in the note is sequenced before this code.

  • if applicable, postprocedural sepsis (T81.44-)
  • sepsis due to central venous catheter (T80.211-)
  • streptococcal sepsis during labor (O75.3)
  • streptococcal sepsis following abortion or ectopic or molar pregnancy (O03.37, O03.87, O04.87, O07.37, O08.82)
  • streptococcal sepsis following immunization (T88.0-)
  • streptococcal sepsis following infusion, transfusion or therapeutic injection (T80.22-, T80.29-)

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 A40, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming A40: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • A41 Other sepsis
    streptococcal sepsis (A40.-)

Use Additional Code 6

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and A40 is one of the codes named.

  • J95.02 Infection of tracheostomy stoma
    sepsis (A40, A41.-)
  • K94.02 Colostomy infection
    sepsis (A40.-, A41.-)
  • K94.12 Enterostomy infection
    sepsis (A40.-, A41.-)
  • K94.22 Gastrostomy infection
    sepsis (A40.-, A41.-)
  • K95.01 Infection due to gastric band procedure
    sepsis (A40.-, A41.-)
  • K95.81 Infection due to other bariatric procedure
    sepsis (A40.-, A41.-)

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

Patient EducationClinical

Sepsis

Sepsis is your body's overactive and extreme response to an infection. Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency. Without quick treatment, it can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and even death.

The full article covers:

  • What is sepsis?
  • What causes sepsis?
  • Who is more likely to develop sepsis?
  • What are the symptoms of sepsis?
  • What other problems can sepsis cause?
  • How is sepsis diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for sepsis?
  • Can sepsis be prevented?

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 A40Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for streptococcal sepsis?

A40 is the ICD-10-CM category for streptococcal sepsis, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is A40 (Streptococcal sepsis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for streptococcal sepsis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for streptococcal sepsis need a more specific code from this category, such as A40.0, A40.1, and A40.3.

Can A40 be reported with O85?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on A40 lists "puerperal sepsis (O85)". 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).

What is coded first with A40?

The Code First note reads: if applicable, postprocedural sepsis (T81.44-); sepsis due to central venous catheter (T80.211-); streptococcal sepsis during labor (O75.3); streptococcal sepsis following abortion or ectopic or molar pregnancy (O03.37, O03.87, O04.87, O07.37, O08.82); streptococcal sepsis following immunization (T88.0-); and 1 more listed in the Instructional Notes section. When one of these applies, it is sequenced before A40.