ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for tuberculous tonsillitis
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Tonsillitis (acute) (catarrhal) (croupous) (follicular) (gangrenous) (infective) (lacunar) (lingual) (malignant) (membranous) (parenchymatous) (phlegmonous) (pseudomembranous) (purulent) (septic) (subacute) (suppurative) (toxic) (ulcerative) (vesicular) (viral) › tuberculous”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding tuberculous tonsillitis
The ICD-10-CM code for tuberculous tonsillitis is A15.8 (Other respiratory tuberculosis).
Within A15, choose A15.8 (Other respiratory tuberculosis) 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 unspecified (A15.9).
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.
Common questions about tuberculous tonsillitis ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for tuberculous tonsillitis?
- A15.8 — Other respiratory tuberculosis.
Is A15.8 billable?
- Yes. A15.8 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can A15.8 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict A15.8 as a principal diagnosis.
Is A15.8 a CC or MCC?
- A15.8 is a CC (complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.