ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for abscess respiratory tuberculosis
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Tuberculosis, tubercular, tuberculous (calcification) (calcified) (caseous) (chromogenic acid-fast bacilli) (degeneration) (fibrocaseous) (fistula) (interstitial) (isolated circumscribed lesions) (necrosis) (parenchymatous) (ulcerative) › abscess (respiratory)”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding abscess respiratory tuberculosis
The ICD-10-CM code for abscess respiratory tuberculosis is A15.9 (Respiratory tuberculosis unspecified). The official index lists 45 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on A15.9.
Within A15, choose A15.9 (unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: tuberculosis of lung (A15.0), tuberculosis of intrathoracic lymph nodes (A15.4), tuberculosis of larynx, trachea and bronchus (A15.5), tuberculous pleurisy (A15.6), primary respiratory tuberculosis (A15.7) and other respiratory tuberculosis (A15.8).
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 177 (Respiratory Infections and Inflammations with MCC, relative weight 1.6092), DRG 178 (Respiratory Infections and Inflammations with CC, relative weight 0.9744), DRG 179 (Respiratory Infections and Inflammations without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.7345), 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 04 (Diseases and Disorders of the Respiratory 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.
More specific abscess respiratory tuberculosis codes (official index)
- bone A18.03 — Tuberculosis of other bones
- hip A18.02 — Tuberculous arthritis of other joints
- knee A18.02 — Tuberculous arthritis of other joints
- sacrum A18.01 — Tuberculosis of spine
- specified site NEC A18.03 — Tuberculosis of other bones
- spinal A18.01 — Tuberculosis of spine
- vertebra A18.01 — Tuberculosis of spine
- brain A17.81 — Tuberculoma of brain and spinal cord
- breast A18.89 — Tuberculosis of other sites
- Cowper's gland A18.15 — Tuberculosis of other male genital organs
- dura (mater) (cerebral) (spinal) A17.81 — Tuberculoma of brain and spinal cord
- epidural (cerebral) (spinal) A17.81 — Tuberculoma of brain and spinal cord
- female pelvis A18.17 — Tuberculous female pelvic inflammatory disease
- frontal sinus A15.8 — Other respiratory tuberculosis
- genital organs NEC A18.10 — Tuberculosis of genitourinary system, unspecified
- genitourinary A18.10 — Tuberculosis of genitourinary system, unspecified
- gland (lymphatic)
- hip A18.02 — Tuberculous arthritis of other joints
- intestine A18.32 — Tuberculous enteritis
- ischiorectal A18.32 — Tuberculous enteritis
- joint NEC A18.02 — Tuberculous arthritis of other joints
- hip A18.02 — Tuberculous arthritis of other joints
- knee A18.02 — Tuberculous arthritis of other joints
- specified NEC A18.02 — Tuberculous arthritis of other joints
- vertebral A18.01 — Tuberculosis of spine
- kidney A18.11 — Tuberculosis of kidney and ureter
- knee A18.02 — Tuberculous arthritis of other joints
- latent Z22.7 — Latent tuberculosis
- lumbar (spine) A18.01 — Tuberculosis of spine
- lung
- meninges (cerebral) (spinal) A17.0 — Tuberculous meningitis
- muscle A18.09 — Other musculoskeletal tuberculosis
- perianal (fistula) A18.32 — Tuberculous enteritis
- perinephritic A18.11 — Tuberculosis of kidney and ureter
- perirectal A18.32 — Tuberculous enteritis
- rectum A18.32 — Tuberculous enteritis
- retropharyngeal A15.8 — Other respiratory tuberculosis
- sacrum A18.01 — Tuberculosis of spine
- scrofulous A18.2 — Tuberculous peripheral lymphadenopathy
- scrotum A18.15 — Tuberculosis of other male genital organs
- skin (primary) A18.4 — Tuberculosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue
- spinal cord A17.81 — Tuberculoma of brain and spinal cord
- spine or vertebra (column) A18.01 — Tuberculosis of spine
- subdiaphragmatic A18.31 — Tuberculous peritonitis
- testis A18.15 — Tuberculosis of other male genital organs
- urinary A18.13 — Tuberculosis of other urinary organs
- uterus A18.17 — Tuberculous female pelvic inflammatory disease
Common questions about abscess respiratory tuberculosis ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for abscess respiratory tuberculosis?
- A15.9 — Respiratory tuberculosis unspecified. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: A18.03, A18.02, A18.02, A18.01 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for bone abscess respiratory tuberculosis?
- A18.03 — Tuberculosis of other bones.
What is the ICD-10 code for brain abscess respiratory tuberculosis?
- A17.81 — Tuberculoma of brain and spinal cord.
What is the ICD-10 code for breast abscess respiratory tuberculosis?
- A18.89 — Tuberculosis of other sites.
What is the ICD-10 code for cowper's gland abscess respiratory tuberculosis?
- A18.15 — Tuberculosis of other male genital organs.
What is the ICD-10 code for dura abscess respiratory tuberculosis?
- A17.81 — Tuberculoma of brain and spinal cord.
What is the ICD-10 code for epidural abscess respiratory tuberculosis?
- A17.81 — Tuberculoma of brain and spinal cord.
Is A15.9 billable?
- Yes. A15.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can A15.9 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict A15.9 as a principal diagnosis.
Is A15.9 a CC or MCC?
- A15.9 is a CC (complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.