2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code B18Chronic viral hepatitis

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›B15-B19›B18

ICD-10-CM B18
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

B18 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for chronic viral hepatitis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as B18.0, B18.1, B18.2, and B18.8.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
B18
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Chronic viral hepatitis
Short Description
Chronic viral hepatitis
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
CategoryB18Chronic viral hepatitis
This CodeB18Chronic viral hepatitis

Specific Coding for Chronic viral hepatitisOverview

Non-specific codes like B18 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use B18.0 for Chronic viral hepatitis B with delta-agent

  • Use B18.1 for Chronic viral hepatitis B without delta-agent

  • Use B18.2 for Chronic viral hepatitis C

  • Use B18.8 for Other chronic viral hepatitis

  • Use B18.9 for Chronic viral hepatitis, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to B18: 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.

On B18 itself
  • Carrier of viral hepatitis
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.

On B18 itself
  • code, if applicable, for ascites (R18.8)
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 B18, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 1

These notes mention B18.

  • 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 B18: 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 4

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming B18: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • Z22 Carrier of infectious disease
    carrier of viral hepatitis (B18.-)
  • 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
  • T80.6 Other serum reactions
    serum hepatitis (B16-B19) names B16-B19, which includes this code

Code First 1

These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and B18 is one of the conditions named.

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

Code Also 1

These codes say B18 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

  • Chronic Viral Hepatitis

    chronic hepatitis caused by viruses, most commonly hepatitis viruses b and c.

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.

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 B18Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for chronic viral hepatitis?

B18 is the ICD-10-CM category for chronic viral hepatitis, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is B18 (Chronic viral hepatitis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for chronic viral hepatitis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for chronic viral hepatitis need a more specific code from this category, such as B18.0, B18.1, and B18.2.

Can B18 be reported with B94.2?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block B15-B19, which applies to B18, 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).

Does B18 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note reads: code, if applicable, for ascites (R18.8). The additional code is reported after B18.