A38 — Scarlet fever
Is A38 billable?
No — A38 is a non-billable header code. A38 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 4 billable codes beneath A38.
A38 at a glance
| Code | A38 |
|---|---|
| Description | Scarlet fever |
| Billable | No — header code |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
Excludes2 — not included here
The conditions below are not part of A38, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, A38 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- streptococcal sore throat (J02.0)
Includes
Conditions classified to A38.
- scarlatina
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 1
Report an additional code alongside A38 to fully describe the condition. A38 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 A38, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, A38 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 A38? (4)
How long has A38 existed?
A38 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.