2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code B56African trypanosomiasis

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›B50-B64›B56

ICD-10-CM B56
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

B56 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for african trypanosomiasis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as B56.0, B56.1, and B56.9.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
B56
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
African trypanosomiasis
Short Description
African trypanosomiasis
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
CategoryB56African trypanosomiasis
This CodeB56African trypanosomiasis

Specific Coding for African trypanosomiasisOverview

Non-specific codes like B56 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use B56.0 for Gambiense trypanosomiasis

  • Use B56.1 for Rhodesiense trypanosomiasis

  • Use B56.9 for African trypanosomiasis, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to B56: 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.

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 B56, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 1

These notes mention B56.

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

Code First 2

These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and B56 is one of the conditions named.

  • F02 Dementia in other diseases classified elsewhere
    trypanosomiasis (B56.-, B57.-)
  • G02 Meningitis in other infectious and parasitic diseases classified elsewhere
    African trypanosomiasis (B56.-)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Trypanosomiasis, African

    a disease endemic among people and animals in central africa. it is caused by various species of trypanosomes, particularly t. gambiense and t. rhodesiense. its second host is the tsetse fly. involvement of the central nervous system produces african sleeping sickness. nagana is a rapidly fatal trypanosomiasis of horses and other animals.

Patient EducationClinical

Parasitic Diseases

Parasites are living things that use other living things - like your body - for food and a place to live. You can get them from contaminated food or water, a bug bite, or sexual contact. Some parasitic diseases are easily treated and some are not.

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 B56Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for african trypanosomiasis?

B56 is the ICD-10-CM category for african trypanosomiasis, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is B56 (African trypanosomiasis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for african trypanosomiasis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for african trypanosomiasis need a more specific code from this category, such as B56.0, B56.1, and B56.9.

Can B56 be reported with a code from A06?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block B50-B64, which applies to B56, 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).