2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code B51Plasmodium vivax malaria

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›B50-B64›B51

ICD-10-CM B51
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

B51 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for plasmodium vivax malaria, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as B51.0, B51.8, and B51.9.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
B51
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Plasmodium vivax malaria
Short Description
Plasmodium vivax 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
CategoryB51Plasmodium vivax malaria
This CodeB51Plasmodium vivax malaria

Specific Coding for Plasmodium vivax malariaOverview

Non-specific codes like B51 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use B51.0 for Plasmodium vivax malaria with rupture of spleen

  • Use B51.8 for Plasmodium vivax malaria with other complications

  • Use B51.9 for Plasmodium vivax malaria without complication

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to B51: 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 B51 itself
  • mixed infections of Plasmodium vivax with other Plasmodium species, except Plasmodium falciparum
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.

On B51 itself
  • plasmodium vivax with Plasmodium falciparum (B50.-)
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 B51, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 1

These notes mention B51.

  • O98.6 Protozoal diseases complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
    Conditions in B50-B64 names B50-B64, which includes this code

Excludes1 3

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming B51: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

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

Code First 2

These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and B51 is one of the conditions named.

  • D63.8 Anemia in other chronic diseases classified elsewhere
    malaria (B50.0-B54) names B50.0-B54, which includes this code
  • D77 Other disorders of blood and blood-forming organs in diseases classified elsewhere
    malaria (B50.0-B54) names B50.0-B54, which includes this code

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Malaria, Vivax

    malaria caused by plasmodium vivax. this form of malaria is less severe than malaria, falciparum, but there is a higher probability for relapses to occur. febrile paroxysms often occur every other day.

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 B51Overview

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

B51 is the ICD-10-CM category for plasmodium vivax malaria, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is B51 (Plasmodium vivax malaria) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for plasmodium vivax malaria, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for plasmodium vivax malaria need a more specific code from this category, such as B51.0, B51.8, and B51.9.

Can B51 be reported with a code from B50?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on B51 lists "plasmodium vivax with Plasmodium falciparum (B50.-)". 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).