ICD-10 A39.81
Billable / Specific MCCMeningococcal encephalitis
About ICD-10-CM A39.81
ICD-10-CM code A39.81 represents Meningococcal encephalitis. This is a billable/specific code in the Infectious and Parasitic Diseases chapter (block A39). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM A39.81 became effective on October 1, 2025.
Coding Tips for A39.81
Specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team. Specificity warnings, HCC capture rules, sequencing notes.
A39.81 is designated MCC for MS-DRG grouping. On inpatient claims, this code can shift the DRG to the with-MCC variant when documented as a present-on-admission secondary diagnosis. Hospital CDI programs flag MCC opportunities during chart review. Failure to capture this code may leave 30 to 80 percent of the inpatient stay revenue unrealized.
Inpatient DRG Impact, MCC
codes Meningococcal encephalitis. As a Major Complication/Comorbidity (MCC), this can shift the DRG assignment to a higher-weighted category, substantial reimbursement impact.
Medicare LCD Coverage for A39.81
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list A39.81 as a covered diagnosis.
Showing top 10 of 593 total . Click a CPT for full coverage scope.
Commercial Payer Coverage
Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing A39.81.
1 Cigna
5 Medicare
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with A39.81
Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.
- 70491 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: MRI and CT Scans of the Head and Neck CMS LCD
- 70487 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: MRI and CT Scans of the Head and Neck CMS LCD
- 70490 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: MRI and CT Scans of the Head and Neck CMS LCD
- 70481 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: MRI and CT Scans of the Head and Neck CMS LCD
- 70480 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: MRI and CT Scans of the Head and Neck CMS LCD
- 70482 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: MRI and CT Scans of the Head and Neck CMS LCD
- 70486 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: MRI and CT Scans of the Head and Neck CMS LCD
- 70557 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: MRI and CT Scans of the Head and Neck CMS LCD
- 70488 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: MRI and CT Scans of the Head and Neck CMS LCD
- 70558 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: MRI and CT Scans of the Head and Neck CMS LCD
Convert A39.81 to ICD-9-CM
Per CMS General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.
| ICD-10 | ICD-9 | Mapping Flags |
|---|---|---|
| A39.81 | 0361 | 00000 |
Flags format (5 digits): Approximate · No Map · Combination · Scenario · Choice List. Source: CMS 2017 GEMs (final version).
Codes Adjacent To A39.81
Other codes in section A30-A49 (Other bacterial diseases).
ICD-10 A39.81, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code A39.81 billable? +
Yes, A39.81 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can appear as a primary or secondary diagnosis on claims.
Is A39.81 a CC or MCC for inpatient DRG? +
Yes, this code is designated as MCC. Documenting as a secondary diagnosis on inpatient claims can shift the DRG to a higher-weighted category.
What CPT codes are commonly billed with A39.81? +
Procedures frequently paired with A39.81 include: 70491, 70487, 70490, 70481, 70480.
What ICD-9 codes does A39.81 map to? +
Per CMS GEMs, A39.81 maps to ICD-9 codes: 0361. Useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.
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