2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A46Erysipelas

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A30-A49›A46

ICD-10-CM A46
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

A46 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for erysipelas. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 602 through 603. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Bacterial infections and Skin and subcutaneous tissue infections.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
A46
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Erysipelas
Chapter
A30-A49
Other bacterial diseases

Code Classification

ChapterA00–B99Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
SectionA30-A49Other bacterial diseases
CategoryA46Erysipelas
This CodeA46Erysipelas

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Bilateral erysipelas of lower limbs
  • Chronic recurrent streptococcal erysipelas
  • Erysipelas
  • Erysipelas of left lower limb
  • Erysipelas of lower limb
  • Erysipelas of right lower limb
  • Facial erysipelas
  • Infective otitis externa due to erysipelas
  • Recurrent bacterial infection
  • Recurrent cellulitis
  • Recurrent erysipelas
  • Recurrent skin infection

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Type 1 Excludes

  • postpartum or puerperal erysipelas O86.89

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.

    • Arthritis, arthritic(acute) (chronic) (nonpyogenic) (subacute)
      • due to or associated with
        • erysipelas
    • Erysipelas(gangrenous) (infantile) (newborn) (phlegmonous) (suppurative)
    • Erysipelas(gangrenous) (infantile) (newborn) (phlegmonous) (suppurative)
      • external ear
    • Otitis(acute)
      • externa
        • in (due to)
          • erysipelas

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR INF003
Bacterial infections
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No
CCSR SKN001
Skin and subcutaneous tissue infections
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Erysipelas

    an acute infection of the skin caused by species of streptococcus. this disease most frequently affects infants, young children, and the elderly. characteristics include pink-to-red lesions that spread rapidly and are warm to the touch. the commonest site of involvement is the face.

  • Streptococcus

    a genus of gram-positive, coccoid bacteria whose organisms occur in pairs or chains. no endospores are produced. many species exist as commensals or parasites on man or animals with some being highly pathogenic. a few species are saprophytes and occur in the natural environment.

Patient EducationClinical

Bacterial Infections

Bacteria are tiny organisms (living things) that have only one cell. Under a microscope, they look like balls, rods, or spirals. They can be found almost everywhere on Earth. There are lots of bacteria in and on your body. In fact, your body has about 10 times more bacteria cells than human cells.

The full article covers:

  • What are bacteria?
  • How do bacterial infections spread?
  • What are the treatments for bacterial infections?
  • Can bacterial infections be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert A46 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
035 Erysipelas
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

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 A46Overview

Is A46 (Erysipelas) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does A46 group to?

When erysipelas is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 602, 603, with relative weights from 0.8709 to 1.4213 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of A46?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, erysipelas converts to ICD-9-CM 035 (erysipelas). The mapping is a direct match.

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.