ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for meningoencephalitis
Encephalitis and encephalomyelitis, unspecified
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Meningoencephalitis”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding meningoencephalitis
The ICD-10-CM code for meningoencephalitis is G04.90 (Encephalitis and encephalomyelitis, unspecified). The official index lists 41 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on G04.90.
Within G04.9, choose G04.90 (Encephalitis and encephalomyelitis, unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: myelitis, unspecified (G04.91).
As a secondary diagnosis it is an MCC (major complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the highest-paying "with MCC" 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 023 (Craniotomy with Major Device Implant or Acute Complex CNS Principal Diagnosis with MCC or Antineoplastic Implant or Epilepsy with Neurostimulator, relative weight 5.7444), DRG 024 (Craniotomy with Major Device Implant or Acute Complex CNS Principal Diagnosis without MCC, relative weight 3.9708), 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) and 2 more, 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.
More specific meningoencephalitis codes (official index)
- acute NEC A86 — Unspecified viral encephalitis
- bacterial NEC G04.2 — Bacterial meningoencephalitis and meningomyelitis, not elsewhere classified
- California A83.5 — California encephalitis
- diphasic A84.1 — Central European tick-borne encephalitis
- eosinophilic B83.2 — Angiostrongyliasis due to Parastrongylus cantonensis
- epidemic A39.81 — Meningococcal encephalitis
- herpesviral, herpetic B00.4 — Herpesviral encephalitis
- due to herpesvirus 6 B10.01 — Human herpesvirus 6 encephalitis
- due to herpesvirus 7 B10.09 — Other human herpesvirus encephalitis
- specified NEC B10.09 — Other human herpesvirus encephalitis
- in (due to)
- blastomycosis NEC B40.81 — Blastomycotic meningoencephalitis
- diseases classified elsewhere G05.3 — Encephalitis and encephalomyelitis in diseases classified elsewhere
- free-living amebae B60.2 — Naegleriasis
- Hemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) G00.0 — Hemophilus meningitis
- herpes B00.4 — Herpesviral encephalitis
- due to herpesvirus 6 B10.01 — Human herpesvirus 6 encephalitis
- due to herpesvirus 7 B10.09 — Other human herpesvirus encephalitis
- specified NEC B10.09 — Other human herpesvirus encephalitis
- H. influenzae G00.0 — Hemophilus meningitis
- Lyme disease A69.22 — Other neurologic disorders in Lyme disease
- mercury
- mumps B26.2 — Mumps encephalitis
- Naegleria (amebae) (organisms) (fowleri) B60.2 — Naegleriasis
- Parastrongylus cantonensis B83.2 — Angiostrongyliasis due to Parastrongylus cantonensis
- toxoplasmosis (acquired) B58.2 — Toxoplasma meningoencephalitis
- congenital P37.1 — Congenital toxoplasmosis
- infectious (acute) (viral) A86 — Unspecified viral encephalitis
- influenzal (H. influenzae) G00.0 — Hemophilus meningitis
- Listeria monocytogenes A32.12 — Listerial meningoencephalitis
- lymphocytic (serous) A87.2 — Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
- mumps B26.2 — Mumps encephalitis
- parasitic NEC B89 — Unspecified parasitic disease
- pneumococcal G04.2 — Bacterial meningoencephalitis and meningomyelitis, not elsewhere classified
- primary amebic B60.2 — Naegleriasis
- specific (syphilitic) A52.14 — Late syphilitic encephalitis
- specified organism NEC G04.81 — Other encephalitis and encephalomyelitis
- staphylococcal G04.2 — Bacterial meningoencephalitis and meningomyelitis, not elsewhere classified
- streptococcal G04.2 — Bacterial meningoencephalitis and meningomyelitis, not elsewhere classified
- syphilitic A52.14 — Late syphilitic encephalitis
- toxic NEC G92.8 — Other toxic encephalopathy
- due to mercury
- tuberculous A17.82 — Tuberculous meningoencephalitis
- virus NEC A86 — Unspecified viral encephalitis
Common questions about meningoencephalitis ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for meningoencephalitis?
- G04.90 — Encephalitis and encephalomyelitis, unspecified. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: A86, G04.2, A83.5, A84.1 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for acute nec meningoencephalitis?
- A86 — Unspecified viral encephalitis.
What is the ICD-10 code for bacterial nec meningoencephalitis?
- G04.2 — Bacterial meningoencephalitis and meningomyelitis, not elsewhere classified.
What is the ICD-10 code for california meningoencephalitis?
- A83.5 — California encephalitis.
What is the ICD-10 code for diphasic meningoencephalitis?
- A84.1 — Central European tick-borne encephalitis.
What is the ICD-10 code for eosinophilic meningoencephalitis?
- B83.2 — Angiostrongyliasis due to Parastrongylus cantonensis.
What is the ICD-10 code for epidemic meningoencephalitis?
- A39.81 — Meningococcal encephalitis.
Is G04.90 billable?
- Yes. G04.90 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can G04.90 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict G04.90 as a principal diagnosis.
Is G04.90 a CC or MCC?
- G04.90 is an MCC (major complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.