2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A88Other viral infections of central nervous system, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A80-A89›A88

ICD-10-CM A88
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

A88 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for other viral infections of central nervous system, not elsewhere classified, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as A88.0, A88.1, and A88.8.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
A88
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Other viral infections of central nervous system, not elsewhere classified
Short Description
Oth viral infections of central nervous system, NEC
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
CategoryA88Other viral infections of central nervous system, not elsewhere classified
This CodeA88Other viral infections of central nervous system, not elsewhere classified

Specific Coding for Oth viral infections of central nervous system, NECOverview

Non-specific codes like A88 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use A88.0 for Enteroviral exanthematous fever [Boston exanthem]

  • Use A88.1 for Epidemic vertigo

  • Use A88.8 for Other specified viral infections of central nervous system

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to A88: 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 A88 itself
  • viral encephalitis NOS (A86)
  • viral meningitis NOS (A87.9)
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.

Patient EducationClinical

Neurologic Diseases

The brain, spinal cord, and nerves make up the nervous system. Together they control all the workings of the body. When something goes wrong with a part of your nervous system, you can have trouble moving, speaking, swallowing, breathing, or learning. You can also have problems with your memory, senses, or mood.

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 A88Overview

Is A88 a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for other viral infections of central nervous system, not elsewhere classified, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for other viral infections of central nervous system, not elsewhere classified need a more specific code from this category, such as A88.0, A88.1, and A88.8.

Can A88 be reported with A86?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on A88 lists "viral encephalitis NOS (A86)". 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).