2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code B85Pediculosis and phthiriasis

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›B85-B89›B85

ICD-10-CM B85
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

B85 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for pediculosis and phthiriasis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as B85.0, B85.1, B85.2, and B85.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
B85
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Pediculosis and phthiriasis
Chapter
B85-B89
Pediculosis, acariasis and other infestations

Code Classification

ChapterA00–B99Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
SectionB85-B89Pediculosis, acariasis and other infestations
CategoryB85Pediculosis and phthiriasis
This CodeB85Pediculosis and phthiriasis

Specific Coding for Pediculosis and phthiriasisOverview

Non-specific codes like B85 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use B85.0 for Pediculosis due to Pediculus humanus capitis

  • Use B85.1 for Pediculosis due to Pediculus humanus corporis

  • Use B85.2 for Pediculosis, unspecified

  • Use B85.3 for Phthiriasis

  • Use B85.4 for Mixed pediculosis and phthiriasis

Patient EducationClinical

Head Lice

Head lice are tiny insects that live on people's heads. Adult lice are about the size of sesame seeds. The eggs, called nits, are even smaller - about the size of a dandruff flake. Lice and nits are found on or near the scalp, most often at the neckline and behind the ears.

The full article covers:

  • What are head lice?
  • How do head lice spread?
  • Who is at risk for head lice?
  • What are the symptoms of head lice?
  • How do you know if you have head lice?
  • What are the treatments for head lice?
  • Can head lice be prevented?

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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About B85Overview

Is B85 (Pediculosis and phthiriasis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for pediculosis and phthiriasis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for pediculosis and phthiriasis need a more specific code from this category, such as B85.0, B85.1, and B85.2.