2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A88.1Epidemic vertigo

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A80-A89›A88

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

A88.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for epidemic vertigo. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 91 through 93. Coders also document this condition as dysfunction of vestibular system. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified CNS infection and poliomyelitis and Viral infection.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
A88.1
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Epidemic vertigo
Short Description
Epidemic vertigo
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
A88
Other viral infections of central nervous system, not elsewhere classified

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 CodeA88.1Epidemic vertigo

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Dysfunction of vestibular system
  • Epidemic vertigo
  • Viral epidemic vertigo

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to A88.1: its own notes plus those printed at A88, 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.

From A88 Other viral infections of central nervous system, not elsewhere classified applies to 3 codes
  • 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.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name A88.1, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming A88.1: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • H81 Disorders of vestibular function
    epidemic vertigo (A88.1)
  • H82 Vertiginous syndromes in diseases classified elsewhere
    epidemic vertigo (A88.1)

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 NVS003
Other specified CNS infection and poliomyelitis
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes
CCSR INF008
Viral infection
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No

Patient EducationClinical

Dizziness and Vertigo

Dizziness and vertigo are not the same thing, but they are often mixed up.

The full article covers:

  • What is dizziness and vertigo?
  • What causes dizziness and vertigo?
  • How is the cause of dizziness and vertigo diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for dizziness and vertigo?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert A88.1 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
078.81 Epidemic vertigo
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

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 A88.1Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for epidemic vertigo?

The ICD-10-CM code for epidemic vertigo is A88.1 (sometimes written as A881). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is A88.1 a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does A88.1 group to?

When epidemic vertigo is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 91, 92, 93, with relative weights from 0.7783 to 1.7050 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can A88.1 be reported with A86?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at A88, which applies to A88.1, 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).

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of A88.1?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, epidemic vertigo converts to ICD-9-CM 078.81 (epidemic vertigo). The mapping is a direct match.