Varicella [chickenpox]
In Viral infections characterized by skin and mucous membrane lesions (B00-B09), chapter 1: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
7 billable codes under B01: 3 are an MCC, 4 are a CC; 1 map to HCC 182 (Spinal Cord Disorders/Injuries).A CC or MCC (major CC) is a secondary diagnosis that raises the MS-DRG payment. An HCC counts toward a Medicare Advantage patient's risk score.
Advertisements
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)
All codes under B01
B01 can't be used on a claim. Pick a billable code below; grey headings group them.
- B01.0Varicella meningitis
- B01.1Varicella encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis
- B01.11Varicella encephalitis and encephalomyelitis
- B01.12Varicella myelitis
- B01.2Varicella pneumonia
- B01.8Varicella with other complications
- B01.81Varicella keratitis
- B01.89Other varicella complications
- B01.9Varicella without complication
B01 MS-DRGs
As the principal diagnosis, the billable codes under B01 group to these 12 MS-DRGs (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.
- DRG 791 Prematurity with Major Problems (6 of 7 codes)
- DRG 793 Full Term Neonate with Major Problems (6 of 7 codes)
- DRG 865 Viral Illness with MCC (4 of 7 codes)
- DRG 866 Viral Illness without MCC (4 of 7 codes)
- DRG 097 Non-Bacterial Infection of Nervous System Except Viral Meningitis with MCC (2 of 7 codes)
- DRG 098 Non-Bacterial Infection of Nervous System Except Viral Meningitis with CC (2 of 7 codes)
- DRG 099 Non-Bacterial Infection of Nervous System Except Viral Meningitis without CC/MCC (2 of 7 codes)
- DRG 023 Craniotomy with Major Device Implant or Acute Complex CNS Principal Diagnosis with MCC or Antineoplastic Implant or Epilepsy with Neurostimulator (1 of 7 codes)
- DRG 024 Craniotomy with Major Device Implant or Acute Complex CNS Principal Diagnosis without MCC (1 of 7 codes)
- DRG 177 Respiratory Infections and Inflammations with MCC (1 of 7 codes)
- DRG 178 Respiratory Infections and Inflammations with CC (1 of 7 codes)
- DRG 179 Respiratory Infections and Inflammations without CC/MCC (1 of 7 codes)
Other codes that refer to B01
Notes on these codes point to B01.
About the condition
Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Most cases are in children under age 15, but older children and adults can get it. It spreads very easily from one person to another.
Read more about chickenpox on MedlinePlusCode history
Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.