Erysipelas
In Other bacterial diseases (A30-A49), chapter 1: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
- A46 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 not a CC or MCC, so it doesn't raise the MS-DRG payment.
- 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: Arthritis, due to or associated with, erysipelas; Erysipelas; Erysipelas, external ear; Otitis, externa, in, erysipelas
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Instructional notes
Excludes1: not coded here, use a different code
- postpartum or puerperal erysipelas (O86.89)
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
- A36Diphtheria
- A37Whooping cough
- A38Scarlet fever
- A39Meningococcal infection
- A40Streptococcal sepsis
- A41Other sepsis
- A42Actinomycosis
- A43Nocardiosis
- A44Bartonellosis
- A46Erysipelas(this code)
- A48Other bacterial diseases, not elsewhere classified
- A49Bacterial infection of unspecified site
A46 MS-DRGs
As the principal diagnosis, A46 groups to MS-DRG 602 or 603 (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.
Related conditions
Grouped by AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR), which sorts every diagnosis code into clinically meaningful categories.
A46 is in Skin and subcutaneous tissue infections (SKN001, its default category), with 171 codes. Others in it:
A46 is in Bacterial infections (INF003), with 398 codes. Others in it:
Medicare coverage articles listing A46
This Medicare billing and coding article lists A46 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.
About the condition
Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.
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.
Read more about bacterial infections on MedlinePlusSkin Infections
Your skin is your body's largest organ. It has many different functions, including covering and protecting your body. It helps keep germs out. But sometimes the germs can cause a skin infection. It often happens when the germs enter your body through a break, cut, or wound on your skin. Other skin infections can happen in places where the skin rubs together, especially if the area is moist. Infections can also happen when you have a poor blood supply to an area of your body or if your immune system is weakened because of another disease or a medical treatment.
Read more about skin infections 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).
- 035 Erysipelas