2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code B17.9Acute viral hepatitis, unspecified
ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›B15-B19›B17
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
B17.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for acute viral hepatitis, unspecified. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 441 through 443. Coders also document this condition as acute focal hepatitis. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Hepatitis and Viral infection.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Acute focal hepatitis
- Acute fulminating viral hepatitis
- Acute hepatic failure
- Acute hepatic failure caused by hepatitis virus
- Acute hepatitis
- Acute infectious hepatitis
- Acute viral hepatitis
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Acute hepatitis NOS
- Acute infectious hepatitis NOS
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
- acute - B17.9
- infectious - B17.9
- infectious, infective - B15.9
- acute (subacute) - B17.9
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.
- Hepatitis
- acute
- Hepatitis
- acute
- infectious
- Hepatitis
- acute
- viral (see also, Hepatitis, viral)
- Hepatitis
- infectious, infective
- acute (subacute)
- Hepatitis
- viral, virus
- acute
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Acute Hepatitis
acute inflammation of the liver.Acute Hepatitis B Infection|Acute Hepatitis B
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.Acute Hepatitis C Infection|Acute Hepatitis C
a new infection by the hepatitis c virus, which can be detected in blood. signs and symptoms may include right upper quadrant abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, white stools and nausea. approximately 15%-25% individuals clear the virus from their bodies without treatment. 75%-85% individuals develop chronic hepatitis c. there are possible treatments depending on individual characteristics.Acute Hepatitis E Infection|Acute Hepatitis E
a new infection by the hepatitis e virus, which is usually spread by the fecal-oral route. signs and symptoms may include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, clay-colored stools and joint pain. there is no specific anti-viral treatment, the infection resolves on its own.Hepatitis A Infection|Acute Hepatitis A|Acute Hepatitis A|Hepatitis A|Hepatitis A
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
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 causes hepatitis?
- How is viral hepatitis spread?
- Who is at risk for hepatitis?
- What are the symptoms of hepatitis?
- What other problems can hepatitis cause?
- How is hepatitis diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for hepatitis?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert B17.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About B17.9Overview
Is B17.9 (Other acute viral hepatitis) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report acute viral hepatitis, unspecified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does B17.9 group to?
When acute viral hepatitis, unspecified is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 441, 442, 443, with relative weights from 0.6997 to 1.7947 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of B17.9?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, acute viral hepatitis, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 070.9 (viral hepat NOS w/o coma). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
Footnotes
[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.
