2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A79.1Rickettsialpox due to Rickettsia akari
ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A75-A79›A79
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
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 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 867 through 869. 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
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Rickettsialpox
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Kew Garden fever
- Vesicular rickettsiosis
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
- Fever (inanition) (of unknown origin) (persistent) (with chills) (with rigor) - R50.9
- Kew Garden - A79.1
- Kew Garden fever - A79.1
- Rickettsialpox (Rickettsia akari) - A79.1
- Rickettsiosis - A79.9
- due to
- Rickettsia akari (rickettsialpox) - A79.1
- vesicular - A79.1
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.
- Fever(inanition) (of unknown origin) (persistent) (with chills) (with rigor)
- Kew Garden
- Kew Garden fever
- Rickettsialpox(Rickettsia akari)
- Rickettsiosis
- due to
- Rickettsia akari (rickettsialpox)
- Rickettsiosis
- vesicular
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About A79.1Overview
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, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
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, 868, 869, with relative weights from 0.7297 to 2.0932 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
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.
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.
