2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A68Relapsing fevers

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A65-A69›A68

ICD-10-CM A68
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

A68 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for relapsing fevers, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as A68.0, A68.1, and A68.9.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
A68
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Relapsing fevers
Short Description
Relapsing fevers
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
A65-A69
Other spirochetal diseases

Code Classification

ChapterA00–B99Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
SectionA65-A69Other spirochetal diseases
CategoryA68Relapsing fevers
This CodeA68Relapsing fevers

Specific Coding for Relapsing feversOverview

Non-specific codes like A68 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use A68.0 for Louse-borne relapsing fever

  • Use A68.1 for Tick-borne relapsing fever

  • Use A68.9 for Relapsing fever, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to A68: its own notes plus those printed at block A65-A69 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.

On A68 itself
  • recurrent fever
From Chapter 1 (A00-B99) Certain infectious and parasitic diseases applies to 1,068 codes
  • diseases generally recognized as communicable or transmissible

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.

On A68 itself
From Block A65-A69 Other spirochetal diseases applies to 28 codes
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.

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Relapsing Fever

    an acute infection characterized by recurrent episodes of pyrexia alternating with asymptomatic intervals of apparent recovery. this condition is caused by spirochetes of the genus borrelia. it is transmitted by the bites of either the body louse (pediculus humanus corporis), for which humans are the reservoir, or by soft ticks of the genus ornithodoros, for which rodents and other animals are the principal reservoirs.

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.

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 A68Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for relapsing fevers?

A68 is the ICD-10-CM category for relapsing fevers, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is A68 (Relapsing fevers) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for relapsing fevers, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for relapsing fevers need a more specific code from this category, such as A68.0, A68.1, and A68.9.