2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code O86.81Puerperal septic thrombophlebitis

ICD-10-CM Codes›O00-O9A›O85-O92›O86

ICD-10-CM O86.81
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

O86.81 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for puerperal septic thrombophlebitis. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). The code is restricted by the Medicare Code Editor to maternity cases (age 9 through 64). Coders also document this condition as phlebitis in puerperium. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Acute phlebitis; thrombophlebitis and thromboembolism and Complications specified during the puerperium.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
O86.81
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Puerperal septic thrombophlebitis
Short Description
Puerperal septic thrombophlebitis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
O86.8
Other specified puerperal infections

Code Classification

ChapterO00-O9APregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
SectionO85-O92Complications predominantly related to the puerperium
CategoryO86Other puerperal infections
This CodeO86.81Puerperal septic thrombophlebitis

Code EditsBilling

Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for O86.81.

Maternity diagnoses
The Medicare Code Editor detects inconsistencies in maternity cases by checking a patient's age and any diagnosis on the patient's record. The maternity code edits apply to patients age ange is 9–64 years inclusive (e.g., diabetes in pregnancy, antepartum pulmonary complication).

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Phlebitis in puerperium
  • Septic thrombophlebitis
  • Septic thrombophlebitis in puerperium
  • Thrombophlebitis in puerperium

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Puerperal, puerperium(complicated by, complications)
      • septic thrombophlebitis
    • Puerperal, puerperium(complicated by, complications)
      • thrombophlebitis (superficial)
        • septic
    • Thrombophlebitis
      • puerperal, postpartum, childbirth
        • septic

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR CIR033
Acute phlebitis; thrombophlebitis and thromboembolism
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No
CCSR PRG027
Complications specified during the puerperium
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Most deep vein clots occur in the lower leg or thigh. If the vein swells, the condition is called thrombophlebitis. A deep vein thrombosis can break loose and cause a serious problem in the lung, called a pulmonary embolism.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert O86.81 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
670.32 Prp sptc thrmb-del w p/p
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
670.34 Prp septc thrmb-postpart
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 O86.81Overview

Is O86.81 (Other specified puerperal infections) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report puerperal septic thrombophlebitis on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Who can O86.81 be reported for?

The Medicare Code Editor checks puerperal septic thrombophlebitis against patient demographics: this code is intended for maternity cases (age 9 through 64). Claims outside these limits are flagged as inconsistent.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of O86.81?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, puerperal septic thrombophlebitis converts to ICD-9-CM 670.32 (prp sptc thrmb-del w p/p) and 670.34 (prp septc thrmb-postpart). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.