A36 — Diphtheria
Not billable
Is A36 billable?
No — A36 is a non-billable header code. A36 groups more specific codes and cannot be submitted on a claim. A valid ICD-10-CM code must be reported at the highest level of specificity available in its branch. Select one of the 12 billable codes beneath A36.
Billable codes under this header
- A36.0Pharyngeal diphtheria
- A36.1Nasopharyngeal diphtheria
- A36.2Laryngeal diphtheria
- A36.3Cutaneous diphtheria
- A36.9Diphtheria, unspecified
- A36.81Diphtheritic cardiomyopathy
- A36.82Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis
- A36.83Diphtheritic polyneuritis
- A36.84Diphtheritic tubulo-interstitial nephropathy
- A36.85Diphtheritic cystitis
- A36.86Diphtheritic conjunctivitis
- A36.89Other diphtheritic complications
A36 at a glance
| Code | A36 |
|---|---|
| Description | Diphtheria |
| Billable | No — header code |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 1
Report an additional code alongside A36 to fully describe the condition. A36 is sequenced first.
- code to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16.-)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 1
The conditions below are not part of A36, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, A36 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- carrier or suspected carrier of infectious disease (Z22.-)
- certain localized infections - see body system-related chapters
- infectious and parasitic diseases complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O98.-)
- infectious and parasitic diseases specific to the perinatal period (P35-P39)
- influenza and other acute respiratory infections (J00-J22)
What codes fall under A36? (6)
How long has A36 existed?
A36 has been in ICD-10-CM since at least FY2016, the earliest fiscal year on record here.
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.