A71.9 — Trachoma, unspecified
Is A71.9 billable?
Yes, but A71.9 is an unspecified code. A71.9 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, A71.9 is an unspecified or catch-all code. Payers apply additional scrutiny to unspecified codes and many deny them when the medical record supports a more specific option, so check the documentation before selecting A71.9 — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
More specific alternatives
A71.9 at a glance
| Code | A71.9 |
|---|---|
| Description | Trachoma, unspecified |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
Which MS-DRGs does A71.9 group to?
A71.9 sits in MDC 02 and helps define the logic of 2 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 124Other Disorders of the Eye with MCC or Thrombolytic Agentmedical
- 125Other Disorders of the Eye without MCCmedical
How is A71.9 listed in the Alphabetic Index?
These are the routes through the Alphabetic Index that lead to A71.9. They show the wording a clinician may have documented, which often differs from the Tabular description.
- Trachoma, trachomatous
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from A70-A74
The conditions below can never be reported together with A71.9 on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- sexually transmitted chlamydial diseases (A55-A56)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from A71
The conditions below can never be reported together with A71.9 on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- sequelae of trachoma (B94.0)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 1
Report an additional code alongside A71.9 to fully describe the condition. A71.9 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 A71.9, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, A71.9 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)
How long has A71.9 existed?
A71.9 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.