Chronic viral hepatitis
In Viral hepatitis (B15-B19), chapter 1: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
5 billable codes under B18: 4 are a CC; all map to HCC 65 (Chronic Hepatitis).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.
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Instructional notes
Includes: conditions that are coded here
- Carrier of viral hepatitis
Use additional code: add a second code for this, listed after this one
- code, if applicable, for ascites (R18.8)
Also applies, from Viral hepatitis (B15-B19)
These notes sit on B15-B19 and apply to every code under it, including B18.
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 B18
B18 can't be used on a claim. Pick a billable code below; grey headings group them.
B18 MS-DRGs
As the principal diagnosis, all 5 billable codes under B18 group to MS-DRG 441, 442, 443, 791, or 793 (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.
- DRG 441 Disorders of Liver Except Malignancy, Cirrhosis or Alcoholic Hepatitis with MCC
- DRG 442 Disorders of Liver Except Malignancy, Cirrhosis or Alcoholic Hepatitis with CC
- DRG 443 Disorders of Liver Except Malignancy, Cirrhosis or Alcoholic Hepatitis without CC/MCC
- DRG 791 Prematurity with Major Problems
- DRG 793 Full Term Neonate with Major Problems
Other codes that refer to B18
Notes on these codes point to B18.
- Z22 Excludes2: carrier of viral hepatitis (B18.-)
About the condition
Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is swelling that happens when tissues of the body are injured or infected. It can damage your liver. This swelling and damage can affect how well your liver functions.
Read more about hepatitis on MedlinePlusCode history
Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.