2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code B50Plasmodium falciparum malaria

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›B50-B64›B50

ICD-10-CM B50
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

B50 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for plasmodium falciparum malaria, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as B50.0, B50.8, and B50.9.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
B50
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Plasmodium falciparum malaria
Short Description
Plasmodium falciparum malaria
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
B50-B64
Protozoal diseases

Code Classification

ChapterA00–B99Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
SectionB50-B64Protozoal diseases
CategoryB50Plasmodium falciparum malaria
This CodeB50Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Specific Coding for Plasmodium falciparum malariaOverview

Non-specific codes like B50 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use B50.0 for Plasmodium falciparum malaria with cerebral complications

  • Use B50.8 for Other severe and complicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria

  • Use B50.9 for Plasmodium falciparum malaria, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to B50: its own notes plus those printed at block B50-B64 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 B50 itself
  • mixed infections of Plasmodium falciparum with any other Plasmodium species
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 B50-B64 Protozoal diseases applies to 57 codes
  • amebiasis (A06.-)
  • other protozoal intestinal diseases (A07.-)

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 B50, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 1

These notes mention B50.

  • O98.6 Protozoal diseases complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
    Conditions in B50-B64

Excludes1 4

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming B50: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • B51 Plasmodium vivax malaria
    plasmodium vivax with Plasmodium falciparum (B50.-)
  • B52 Plasmodium malariae malaria
    Plasmodium falciparum (B50.-)
  • B53.0 Plasmodium ovale malaria
    Plasmodium ovale with Plasmodium falciparum (B50.-)
  • B53.1 Malaria due to simian plasmodia
    Malaria due to simian plasmodia with Plasmodium falciparum (B50.-)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Malaria, Falciparum

    malaria caused by plasmodium falciparum. this is the severest form of malaria and is associated with the highest levels of parasites in the blood. this disease is characterized by irregularly recurring febrile paroxysms that in extreme cases occur with acute cerebral, renal, or gastrointestinal manifestations.

Patient EducationClinical

Malaria

Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite. You get it when an infected mosquito bites you. Malaria is a major cause of death worldwide, but it is almost wiped out in the United States. The disease is mostly a problem in developing countries with warm climates. If you travel to these countries, you are at risk.

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 B50Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for plasmodium falciparum malaria?

B50 is the ICD-10-CM category for plasmodium falciparum malaria, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is B50 (Plasmodium falciparum malaria) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for plasmodium falciparum malaria, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for plasmodium falciparum malaria need a more specific code from this category, such as B50.0, B50.8, and B50.9.

Can B50 be reported with a code from A06?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block B50-B64, which applies to B50, lists "amebiasis (A06.-)". 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).