2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code B96Other bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›B95-B97›B96

ICD-10-CM B96
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

B96 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for other bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as B96.0, B96.1, B96.20, and B96.21.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
B96
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Other bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
Short Description
Oth bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classd elswhr
Chapter
B95-B97
Bacterial and viral infectious agents

Code Classification

ChapterA00–B99Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
SectionB95-B97Bacterial and viral infectious agents
CategoryB96Other bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
This CodeB96Other bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

Specific Coding for Oth bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classd elswhrOverview

Non-specific codes like B96 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use B96.0 for Mycoplasma pneumoniae [M. pneumoniae] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use B96.1 for Klebsiella pneumoniae [K. pneumoniae] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • B96.2 for Escherichia coli [E. coli ] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use B96.20 for Unspecified Escherichia coli [E. coli] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use B96.21 for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli [E. coli] [STEC] O157 as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use B96.22 for Other specified Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli [E. coli] [STEC] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use B96.23 for Unspecified Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli [E. coli] [STEC] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use B96.29 for Other Escherichia coli [E. coli] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use B96.3 for Hemophilus influenzae [H. influenzae] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use B96.4 for Proteus (mirabilis) (morganii) as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use B96.5 for Pseudomonas (aeruginosa) (mallei) (pseudomallei) as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use B96.6 for Bacteroides fragilis [B. fragilis] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use B96.7 for Clostridium perfringens [C. perfringens] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • B96.8 for Other specified bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use B96.81 for Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use B96.82 for Vibrio vulnificus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use B96.83 for Acinetobacter baumannii as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use B96.89 for Other specified bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to B96: its own notes plus those printed at block B95-B97 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

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.-)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Block B95-B97 Bacterial and viral infectious agents applies to 46 codes
  • These categories are provided for use as supplementary or additional codes to identify the infectious agent(s) in diseases classified elsewhere.

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name B96, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming B96: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • A49 Bacterial infection of unspecified site
    bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere (B95-B96) names B95-B96, which includes this code

Use Additional Code 65

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and B96 is one of the codes named.

  • A48.3 Toxic shock syndrome
    code to identify the organism (B95, B96)
  • G00.8 Other bacterial meningitis
    code to further identify organism (B96.-)
  • J95.851 Ventilator associated pneumonia
    code to identify the organism, if known (B95.-, B96.-, B97.-)
  • K95.01 Infection due to gastric band procedure
    bacterial and viral infectious agents (B95.-, B96.-)
  • K95.81 Infection due to other bariatric procedure
    bacterial and viral infectious agents (B95.-, B96.-)
  • M00.8 Arthritis and polyarthritis due to other bacteria
    code (B96) to identify bacteria
  • M71.0 Abscess of bursa
    code (B95.-, B96.-) to identify causative organism
  • M71.1 Other infective bursitis
    code (B95.-, B96.-) to identify causative organism
  • M72.6 Necrotizing fasciitis
    code (B95.-, B96.-) to identify causative organism
  • M72.8 Other fibroblastic disorders
    code to (B95.-, B96.-) identify causative organism
  • O23 Infections of genitourinary tract in pregnancy
    code to identify organism (B95.-, B96.-)
  • P36.8 Other bacterial sepsis of newborn
    code from category B96 to identify organism
  • E06.0 Acute thyroiditis
    code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent. names B95-B97, which includes this code
  • G06 Intracranial and intraspinal abscess and granuloma
    code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent. names B95-B97, which includes this code
  • H65 Nonsuppurative otitis media
    infectious agent (B95-B97) names B95-B97, which includes this code

50 more Use Additional Code notes name this code. Browse all Use Additional Code notes.

Patient EducationClinical

Bacterial Infections

Bacteria are tiny organisms (living things) that have only one cell. Under a microscope, they look like balls, rods, or spirals. They can be found almost everywhere on Earth. There are lots of bacteria in and on your body. In fact, your body has about 10 times more bacteria cells than human cells.

The full article covers:

  • What are bacteria?
  • How do bacterial infections spread?
  • What are the treatments for bacterial infections?
  • Can bacterial infections 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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About B96Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for other bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere?

B96 is the ICD-10-CM category for other bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is B96 a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for other bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for other bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere need a more specific code from this category, such as B96.0, B96.1, and B96.20.