2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code B16Acute hepatitis B

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›B15-B19›B16

ICD-10-CM B16
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

B16 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for acute hepatitis B, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as B16.0, B16.1, B16.2, and B16.9.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
B16
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Acute hepatitis B
Short Description
Acute hepatitis B
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
CategoryB16Acute hepatitis B
This CodeB16Acute hepatitis B

Specific Coding for Acute hepatitis BOverview

Non-specific codes like B16 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use B16.0 for Acute hepatitis B with delta-agent with hepatic coma

  • Use B16.1 for Acute hepatitis B with delta-agent without hepatic coma

  • Use B16.2 for Acute hepatitis B without delta-agent with hepatic coma

  • Use B16.9 for Acute hepatitis B without delta-agent and without hepatic coma

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to B16: 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 B16, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 1

These notes mention B16.

  • O98.4 Viral hepatitis complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
    Conditions in B15-B19 names B15-B19, which includes this code

Excludes1 4

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming B16: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

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

Excludes2 3

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming B16: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • T80.6 Other serum reactions
    serum hepatitis (B16-B19)
  • Block K70-K77 Diseases of liver
    viral hepatitis (B15-B19) names B15-B19, which includes this code
  • K72 Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified
    viral hepatitis with hepatic coma (B15-B19) names B15-B19, which includes this code

Code First 1

These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and B16 is one of the conditions named.

  • M02 Postinfective and reactive arthropathies
    viral hepatitis (B15-B19) names B15-B19, which includes this code

Use Additional Code 1

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and B16 is one of the codes named.

  • C22 Malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts
    hepatitis B (B16.-, B18.0-B18.1)

Code Also 1

These codes say B16 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) names B15-B19, which includes this code

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Acute Hepatitis B Infection

    a new infection by the hepatitis b virus, which can be transmitted by direct contact of infected blood with mucous membranes or open areas of the skin. signs and symptoms may include loss of appetite, joint and muscle pain, low-grade fever and stomach pain. two to six percent of adults progress to a chronic infection, while 90% of infants become chronically ill. a vaccine is available for those at risk.

Patient EducationClinical

Hepatitis B

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

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 B16Overview

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

B16 is the ICD-10-CM category for acute hepatitis B, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is B16 (Acute hepatitis B) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for acute hepatitis B, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for acute hepatitis B need a more specific code from this category, such as B16.0, B16.1, and B16.2.

Can B16 be reported with B94.2?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block B15-B19, which applies to B16, 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).