2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A87Viral meningitis

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A80-A89›A87

ICD-10-CM A87
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

A87 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for viral meningitis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as A87.0, A87.1, A87.2, and A87.8.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
A87
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Viral meningitis
Short Description
Viral meningitis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
A80-A89
Viral and prion infections of the central nervous system

Code Classification

ChapterA00–B99Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
SectionA80-A89Viral and prion infections of the central nervous system
CategoryA87Viral meningitis
This CodeA87Viral meningitis

Specific Coding for Viral meningitisOverview

Non-specific codes like A87 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use A87.0 for Enteroviral meningitis

  • Use A87.1 for Adenoviral meningitis

  • Use A87.2 for Lymphocytic choriomeningitis

  • Use A87.8 for Other viral meningitis

  • Use A87.9 for Viral meningitis, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to A87: its own notes plus those printed at block A80-A89 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.

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.

On A87 itself
  • meningitis due to herpesvirus [herpes simplex] (B00.3)
  • meningitis due to herpesvirus [herpes simplex] (B00.3)
  • meningitis due to measles virus (B05.1)
  • meningitis due to mumps virus (B26.1)
  • meningitis due to poliomyelitis virus (A80.-)
  • meningitis due to zoster (B02.1)
From Block A80-A89 Viral and prion infections of the central nervous system applies to 48 codes
  • postpolio syndrome (G14)
  • sequelae of poliomyelitis (B91)
  • sequelae of viral encephalitis (B94.1)

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.

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Meningitis, Viral

    viral infections of the leptomeninges and subarachnoid space. togaviridae infections; flaviviridae infections; rubella; bunyaviridae infections; orbivirus infections; picornaviridae infections; orthomyxoviridae infections; rhabdoviridae infections; arenaviridae infections; herpesviridae infections; adenoviridae infections; jc virus infections; and retroviridae infections may cause this form of meningitis. clinical manifestations include fever, headache, neck pain, vomiting, photophobia, and signs of meningeal irritation. (from joynt, clinical neurology, 1996, ch26, pp1-3)

Patient EducationClinical

Meningitis

Meningitis is inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. There are several types of meningitis. The most common is viral meningitis. You get it when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain. Bacterial meningitis is rare but can be deadly.

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 A87Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for viral meningitis?

A87 is the ICD-10-CM category for viral meningitis, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is A87 (Viral meningitis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for viral meningitis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for viral meningitis need a more specific code from this category, such as A87.0, A87.1, and A87.2.

Can A87 be reported with B00.3?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on A87 lists "meningitis due to herpesvirus [herpes simplex] (B00.3)". 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).