2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code B15Acute hepatitis A

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›B15-B19›B15

ICD-10-CM B15
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

B15 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for acute hepatitis A, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as B15.0 and B15.9.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
B15
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Acute hepatitis A
Short Description
Acute hepatitis A
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
B15-B19
Viral hepatitis

Code Classification

ChapterA00–B99Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
SectionB15-B19Viral hepatitis
CategoryB15Acute hepatitis A
This CodeB15Acute hepatitis A

Specific Coding for Acute hepatitis AOverview

Non-specific codes like B15 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use B15.0 for Hepatitis A with hepatic coma

  • Use B15.9 for Hepatitis A without hepatic coma

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to B15: its own notes plus those printed at block B15-B19 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 Block B15-B19 Viral hepatitis applies to 23 codes
  • sequelae of viral hepatitis (B94.2)

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 Block B15-B19 Viral hepatitis applies to 23 codes
  • cytomegaloviral hepatitis (B25.1)
  • herpesviral [herpes simplex] hepatitis (B00.81)
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 B15, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 1

These notes mention B15.

  • O98.4 Viral hepatitis complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
    Conditions in B15-B19

Excludes1 4

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming B15: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • K73 Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified
    viral hepatitis (chronic) (B15-B19)
  • K75.2 Nonspecific reactive hepatitis
    viral hepatitis (B15-B19)
  • K75.3 Granulomatous hepatitis, not elsewhere classified
    viral hepatitis (B15-B19)
  • K75.9 Inflammatory liver disease, unspecified
    viral hepatitis (B15-B19)

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming B15: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • Block K70-K77 Diseases of liver
    viral hepatitis (B15-B19)
  • K72 Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified
    viral hepatitis with hepatic coma (B15-B19)

Code First 1

These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and B15 is one of the conditions named.

  • M02 Postinfective and reactive arthropathies
    viral hepatitis (B15-B19)

Code Also 1

These codes say B15 may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.

  • K74 Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver
    if applicable, viral hepatitis (acute) (chronic) (B15-B19)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Hepatitis A Infection

    acute inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis a virus. it is highly contagious and usually contracted through close contact with an infected individual or their feces, contaminated food or water.

Patient EducationClinical

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is swelling that happens when tissues of the body are injured or infected. It can damage your liver. This swelling and damage can affect how well your liver functions.

The full article covers:

  • What is hepatitis?
  • What is hepatitis A?
  • What causes hepatitis A?
  • Who is at risk for hepatitis A?
  • What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?
  • What other problems can hepatitis A cause?
  • How is hepatitis A diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for hepatitis A?

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 B15Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for acute hepatitis A?

B15 is the ICD-10-CM category for acute hepatitis A, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is B15 (Acute hepatitis A) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for acute hepatitis A, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for acute hepatitis A need a more specific code from this category, such as B15.0 and B15.9.

Can B15 be reported with B94.2?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block B15-B19, which applies to B15, lists "sequelae of viral hepatitis (B94.2)". 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).