ICD-10 code for acute hepatitis

The ICD-10-CM code for acute hepatitis is B17.9 (Acute viral hepatitis, unspecified). The official index lists 4 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on B17.9.

Within B17, choose B17.9 (Acute viral hepatitis, unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: acute delta-(super) infection of hepatitis B carrier (B17.0), acute hepatitis C (B17.1), acute hepatitis E (B17.2) and other specified acute viral hepatitis (B17.8).

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 441 (Disorders of Liver Except Malignancy, Cirrhosis or Alcoholic Hepatitis with MCC, relative weight 1.8219), DRG 442 (Disorders of Liver Except Malignancy, Cirrhosis or Alcoholic Hepatitis with CC, relative weight 0.9602), DRG 443 (Disorders of Liver Except Malignancy, Cirrhosis or Alcoholic Hepatitis without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.6885), DRG 791 (Prematurity with Major Problems, relative weight 4.1075) and DRG 793 (Full Term Neonate with Major Problems, relative weight 4.2195), in MDC 07 (Diseases and Disorders of the Hepatobiliary System and Pancreas) and MDC 15 (Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.