Other tetanus
In Other bacterial diseases (A30-A49), chapter 1: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
- A35 is billable and valid on claims for FY 2027. If the record has more detail, check the other codes under A30-A49 below.
- As a secondary diagnosis it is an MCC (major complication), which can raise the MS-DRG payment. It doesn't count when the principal diagnosis is one of 5 closely related codes.
- Doesn't count toward a Medicare Advantage risk score (no HCC in V28).
- AHRQ's Chronic Condition Indicator classes it as not chronic (an acute or short-term condition).
Also indexed as: Radiculomyelitis, toxic, due to, Clostridium tetani; Tetanus
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Instructional notes
Official coding guidelines
From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.
Rules for coding infections and parasitic diseases, including HIV, organism and drug resistance codes, sepsis and septic shock, MRSA, Zika, and COVID-19.
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infections (page 19)
- Infectious agents as the cause of diseases classified to other chapters (page 22)
- Infections resistant to antibiotics (page 22)
- Sepsis, Severe Sepsis, and Septic Shock (page 23)
- Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Conditions (page 27)
- Zika virus infections (page 28)
- Coronavirus infections (page 28)
Other codes under A30-A49
Other bacterial diseases (A30-A49)
- A30Leprosy [Hansen's disease]
- A31Infection due to other mycobacteria
- A32Listeriosis
- A33Tetanus neonatorum
- A34Obstetrical tetanus
- A35Other tetanus(this code)
- A36Diphtheria
- A37Whooping cough
- A38Scarlet fever
- A39Meningococcal infection
- A40Streptococcal sepsis
- A41Other sepsis
- A42Actinomycosis
- A43Nocardiosis
- A44Bartonellosis
- A46Erysipelas
- A48Other bacterial diseases, not elsewhere classified
- A49Bacterial infection of unspecified site
A35 MS-DRGs
As the principal diagnosis, A35 groups to these 8 MS-DRGs (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.
- DRG 154 Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC
- DRG 155 Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC
- DRG 156 Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC
- DRG 791 Prematurity with Major Problems
- DRG 793 Full Term Neonate with Major Problems
- DRG 867 Other Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Diagnoses with MCC
- DRG 868 Other Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Diagnoses with CC
- DRG 869 Other Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Diagnoses without CC/MCC
Related conditions
Grouped by AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR), which sorts every diagnosis code into clinically meaningful categories.
A35 is in Bacterial infections (INF003, its default category), with 398 codes. Others in it:
Medicare coverage articles listing A35
This Medicare billing and coding article lists A35 as a diagnosis that supports medical necessity for the services they cover. From the CMS Medicare Coverage Database; check your own contractor's article before billing.
- Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography (7 contractors)
About the condition
Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a serious illness caused by Clostridium bacteria. The bacteria live in soil, saliva, dust, and manure. The bacteria can enter the body through a deep cut, like those you might get from stepping on a nail, or through a burn.
Read more about tetanus on MedlinePlusCode history
Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.
ICD-9-CM equivalent
Legacy crosswalk from the CMS General Equivalence Mappings (last updated 2018).
- 037 Tetanus