A87Not billable, use a more specific code below

Viral meningitis

In Viral and prion infections of the central nervous system (A80-A89), chapter 1: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases

5 billable codes under A87: all are a CC; none map to an HCC.A CC or MCC (major CC) is a secondary diagnosis that raises the MS-DRG payment.

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Instructional notes

Excludes1: not coded here, use a different code

  • meningitis due to herpesvirus [herpes simplex] (B00.3)
  • meningitis due to herpesvirus [herpes simplex] (B00.3)
  • meningitis due to measles virus (B05.1)
  • meningitis due to mumps virus (B26.1)
  • meningitis due to poliomyelitis virus (A80.-)
  • meningitis due to zoster (B02.1)

Also applies, from Viral and prion infections of the central nervous system (A80-A89)

These notes sit on A80-A89 and apply to every code under it, including A87.

Excludes1: not coded here, use a different code

  • postpolio syndrome (G14)
  • sequelae of poliomyelitis (B91)
  • sequelae of viral encephalitis (B94.1)

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.

Read Section I.C.1 (page 19)

All codes under A87

A87 can't be used on a claim. Pick a billable code below; grey headings group them.

A87 MS-DRGs

As the principal diagnosis, all 5 billable codes under A87 group to MS-DRG 075 or 076 (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.

About the condition

Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.

Meningitis

Meningitis is inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. There are several types of meningitis. The most common is viral meningitis. You get it when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain. Bacterial meningitis is rare but can be deadly. It usually starts with bacteria that cause a cold-like infection. It can cause stroke, hearing loss, and brain damage. It can also harm other organs. Pneumococcal infections and meningococcal infections are the most common causes of bacterial meningitis.

Read more about meningitis on MedlinePlus

Viral Infections

Viruses are very tiny germs. They are made of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) inside of a protein coating. There are a huge number of viruses on earth. Only a small number of them can infect humans. Those viruses can infect our cells, which may cause disease. Some of the diseases that viruses can cause include the common cold, the flu, COVID-19, and HIV.

Read more about viral infections on MedlinePlus

Code history

Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.