2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A79.1Rickettsialpox due to Rickettsia akari

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A75-A79›A79

ICD-10-CM A79.1
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

A79.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for rickettsialpox due to Rickettsia akari. 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 15 closely related codes. Coders also document this condition as rickettsialpox. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Parasitic, other specified and unspecified infections.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
A79.1
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Rickettsialpox due to Rickettsia akari
Short Description
Rickettsialpox due to Rickettsia akari
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
A79
Other rickettsioses

Code Classification

ChapterA00–B99Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
SectionA75-A79Rickettsioses
CategoryA79Other rickettsioses
This CodeA79.1Rickettsialpox due to Rickettsia akari

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Rickettsialpox

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to A79.1: 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

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.

  • Kew Garden fever
  • Vesicular rickettsiosis

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.

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 INF009
Parasitic, other specified and unspecified infections
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

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 A79.1 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
083.2 Rickettsialpox
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 A79.1Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for rickettsialpox due to Rickettsia akari?

The ICD-10-CM code for rickettsialpox due to Rickettsia akari is A79.1 (sometimes written as A791). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is A79.1 (Other rickettsioses) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report rickettsialpox due to Rickettsia akari on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does A79.1 group to?

When rickettsialpox due to Rickettsia akari 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 A79.1 a CC or MCC?

CMS lists A79.1 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 15 closely related codes in its exclusion list.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of A79.1?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, rickettsialpox due to Rickettsia akari converts to ICD-9-CM 083.2 (rickettsialpox). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.