2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A46Erysipelas

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A30-A49›A46

ICD-10-CM A46
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

A46 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for erysipelas. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) 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
Short Description
Erysipelas
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
CategoryA46Erysipelas
This CodeA46Erysipelas

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Bacterial otitis externa
  • Bilateral erysipelas of lower limbs
  • Chronic recurrent streptococcal erysipelas
  • Erysipelas
  • Erysipelas of left lower limb
  • Erysipelas of lower limb
  • Erysipelas of right lower limb
  • Erysipelas with otitis externa caused by beta-hemolytic Streptococcus
  • Facial erysipelas
  • Recurrent cellulitis
  • Recurrent erysipelas
  • Recurrent infection caused by Streptococcus
  • Recurrent infection of skin caused by bacteria

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to A46: 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.

  • postpartum or puerperal erysipelas (O86.89)

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 A46, its category, or a range that includes it.

Code First 1

These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and A46 is one of the conditions named.

  • H62.4 Otitis externa in other diseases classified elsewhere
    erysipelas (A46)

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

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.

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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About A46Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for erysipelas?

The ICD-10-CM code for erysipelas is A46. It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

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, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

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 0.8633 to 1.4272 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can A46 be reported with O86.89?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on A46 lists "postpartum or puerperal erysipelas (O86.89)". 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 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.