A53 — Other and unspecified syphilis
Is A53 billable?
No — A53 is a non-billable header code. A53 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 2 billable codes beneath A53.
Billable codes under this header
A53 at a glance
| Code | A53 |
|---|---|
| Description | Other and unspecified syphilis |
| Billable | No — header code |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from A50-A64
The conditions below can never be reported together with A53 on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 1
Report an additional code alongside A53 to fully describe the condition. A53 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 A53, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, A53 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)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from A50-A64
The conditions below are not part of A53, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, A53 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease (B20)
What codes fall under A53? (2)
How long has A53 existed?
A53 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.