ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code
A86Unspecified viral encephalitis
A86 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for unspecified viral encephalitis. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.
Looking up by condition? See ICD-10 code for Acute encephalitis.
Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data
About A86
A86 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified viral encephalitis. It belongs to block A80-A89 (viral and prion infections of the central nervous system) and chapter 1 (certain infectious and parasitic diseases). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
As a secondary diagnosis it is a CC (complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the "with CC" MS-DRG of its family, unless the principal diagnosis excludes it.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 097 (Non-Bacterial Infection of Nervous System Except Viral Meningitis with MCC, relative weight 3.8226), DRG 098 (Non-Bacterial Infection of Nervous System Except Viral Meningitis with CC, relative weight 2.2706), DRG 099 (Non-Bacterial Infection of Nervous System Except Viral Meningitis without CC/MCC, relative weight 1.5256), DRG 974 (HIV with Major Related Condition with MCC, relative weight 3.0506), DRG 975 (HIV with Major Related Condition with CC, relative weight 1.3252) and DRG 976 (HIV with Major Related Condition without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.8124), in MDC 01 (Diseases and Disorders of the Nervous System) and MDC 25 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.
Before ICD-10, this condition was coded in ICD-9-CM as 049.9 (unspecified non-arthropod-borne viral diseases of central nervous system).
Coding notes
- Viral encephalomyelitis NOS
- Viral meningoencephalitis NOS
Notes that apply from higher levels
Instructions written at a parent level also apply to A86.
Broader instructions also apply from A80-A89 Viral and prion infections of the central nervous system and Chapter 1: Certain infectious and parasitic diseases.
Alphabetic index entries
10 entriesTerms in the official ICD-10-CM index that lead to A86.
- Encephalitis (chronic) (hemorrhagic) (idiopathic) (nonepidemic) (spurious) (subacute) › acute
- Encephalitis (chronic) (hemorrhagic) (idiopathic) (nonepidemic) (spurious) (subacute) › endemic (viral)
- Encephalitis (chronic) (hemorrhagic) (idiopathic) (nonepidemic) (spurious) (subacute) › epidemic NEC (viral)
- Encephalitis (chronic) (hemorrhagic) (idiopathic) (nonepidemic) (spurious) (subacute) › infectious (acute) (virus) NEC
- Encephalitis (chronic) (hemorrhagic) (idiopathic) (nonepidemic) (spurious) (subacute) › postviral NEC
- Encephalitis (chronic) (hemorrhagic) (idiopathic) (nonepidemic) (spurious) (subacute) › viral, virus
- Meningoencephalitis › acute NEC
- Meningoencephalitis › infectious (acute) (viral)
- Meningoencephalitis › virus NEC
- Meningoencephalomyelitis › acute NEC (viral)
Codes whose notes reference A86
- A88Excludes1
MS-DRG v44.0 grouping
All DRGs →Inpatient MS-DRGs this diagnosis can group to, as the principal or a secondary diagnosis, depending on the rest of the claim.
MDC 01 · Diseases and Disorders of the Nervous System
MDC 25 · Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections
ICD-9-CM equivalent
Converter →- 049.9Unspecified non-arthropod-borne viral diseases of central nervous systemapproximate
From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.
Code history
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
- 2027
- FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
- No changes since FY2016.
Common questions about A86
Is A86 billable?
- Yes. A86 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can A86 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict A86 as a principal diagnosis.
Is A86 a CC or MCC?
- A86 is a CC (complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.
What DRG does A86 group to?
- A86 is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 097 (Non-Bacterial Infection of Nervous System Except Viral Meningitis with MCC), MS-DRG 098 (Non-Bacterial Infection of Nervous System Except Viral Meningitis with CC), MS-DRG 099 (Non-Bacterial Infection of Nervous System Except Viral Meningitis without CC/MCC), MS-DRG 974 (HIV with Major Related Condition with MCC), MS-DRG 975 (HIV with Major Related Condition with CC) and MS-DRG 976 (HIV with Major Related Condition without CC/MCC). Which one applies depends on whether it is the principal diagnosis and on the rest of the claim.
What is the ICD-9 code for A86?
- The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map A86 to ICD-9-CM 049.9.