B65-B83
Medium Complexity
Helminthiases
Primary Specialty: Infectious Disease
Last Updated: 2025-09-09
ICD-10 Codes (99)
89 billable8 category headers
B66Billable
B66.0Billable
B66.1Billable
B66.2Billable
B66.3Billable
B66.4Billable
B66.5Billable
B66.8Billable
B66.9Billable
B67Billable
B67.0Billable
B67.1Billable
B67.2Billable
B67.3Billable
B67.31Billable
B67.32Billable
B67.39Billable
B67.4Billable
B67.5Billable
B67.6Billable
B67.61Billable
B67.69Billable
B67.7Billable
B67.8Billable
B67.9Billable
B67.90Billable
B67.99Billable
B68Billable
B68.0Billable
B68.1Billable
B68.9Billable
B69Billable
B69.0Billable
B69.1Billable
B69.8Billable
B69.81Billable
B69.89Billable
B69.9Billable
B70Billable
B70.0Billable
B70.1Billable
B71Billable
B71.0Billable
B71.1Billable
B71.8Billable
B71.9Billable
B72Billable
B73B73.0B73.00Billable
B73.01Billable
B73.02Billable
B73.09Billable
B73.1Billable
B74B74.0Billable
B74.1Billable
B74.2Billable
B74.3Billable
B74.4Billable
B74.8Billable
B74.9Billable
B75Billable
B76B76.0Billable
B76.1Billable
B76.8Billable
B76.9Billable
B77B77.0Billable
B77.8B77.81Billable
B77.89Billable
B77.9Billable
B78B78.0Billable
B78.1Billable
B78.7Billable
B78.9Billable
B79Billable
B80Billable
B81B81.0Billable
B81.1Billable
B81.2Billable
B81.3Billable
B81.4Billable
B81.8Billable
B82B82.0Billable
B82.9Billable
B83B83.0Billable
B83.1Billable
B83.2Billable
B83.3Billable
B83.4Billable
B83.8Billable
B83.9Billable
Updates & Changes
FY 2026 Updates
Current Year
New Codes (1)
B08.62
Orf virus disease with complications
Revised Codes (2)
B00.9
Herpesviral infection, unspecified - updated to include HSV type specification when known
B08.5
Enteroviral vesicular pharyngitis - enhanced diagnostic specificity
Deleted Codes
No codes deleted in this range for FY 2026
Historical Changes
- •FY 2025: Routine maintenance updates with minor terminology clarifications
- •FY 2024: Enhanced specificity requirements for certain code ranges
- •FY 2023: Updated documentation guidelines for improved clarity
Upcoming Changes
- •Proposed updates pending review by Coordination and Maintenance Committee
- •Under consideration: Enhanced digital health integration codes
Implementation Guidance
- •Review all FY 2026 updates for B65-B83 codes before implementation
- •Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
- •Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
- +3 more guidance items...
Range Overview
high priority
The ICD-10 code range B65-B83, Helminthiases, covers a variety of parasitic worm infections. These codes are used to document infections caused by roundworms (nematodes), flatworms (platyhelminths), and flukes (trematodes). The codes in this range are specific to the type of worm causing the infection, the location of the infection in the body, and any resulting complications.
Key Usage Points:
- •Always code to the highest level of specificity, using additional codes if necessary to indicate the location of the infection or any complications.
- •Use combination codes to indicate infections with more than one type of worm.
- •Use additional codes to indicate any associated malnutrition or anemia.
- •Remember that these codes are not used for conditions caused by protozoa or ectoparasites.
- •Always verify the code in the Tabular List before assigning it.
Coding Guidelines
When to Use:
- ✓When a patient is diagnosed with a helminth infection.
- ✓When a patient presents with symptoms consistent with a helminth infection and testing confirms the diagnosis.
- ✓When a patient has a known helminth infection and is being treated for it.
- ✓When a patient has complications resulting from a helminth infection.
- ✓When a patient has a history of helminth infection that affects their current health status.
When NOT to Use:
- ✗When a patient has symptoms suggestive of a helminth infection but testing is negative or inconclusive.
- ✗When a patient has a condition caused by a protozoan or ectoparasite.
- ✗When a patient has a history of helminth infection but it has no bearing on their current health status.
- ✗When a patient has a helminth infection but it is not the primary reason for the encounter.
- ✗When a patient is being screened for helminth infections but has no symptoms or positive test results.
Code Exclusions
Always verify exclusions in the Tabular List before assigning a code.
Documentation Requirements
Documentation for helminth infections should include the type of worm causing the infection, the location of the infection in the body, any resulting complications, and the patient's response to treatment. If the infection is not the primary reason for the encounter, this should be clearly documented.
Clinical Information:
- •Type of worm causing the infection
- •Location of the infection in the body
- •Any resulting complications
- •Patient's response to treatment
- •Whether the infection is the primary reason for the encounter
Supporting Evidence:
- •Lab test results confirming the infection
- •Imaging studies showing the location and extent of the infection
- •Clinical notes documenting the patient's symptoms and response to treatment
- •Referral letters or previous medical records if the infection is a pre-existing condition
Good Documentation Example:
Patient presents with abdominal pain and diarrhea. Lab tests confirm a diagnosis of ascariasis. The patient is started on mebendazole and scheduled for a follow-up appointment in two weeks.
Poor Documentation Example:
Patient has worms.
Common Documentation Errors:
- ⚠Not documenting the type of worm causing the infection
- ⚠Not documenting the location of the infection in the body
- ⚠Not documenting any resulting complications
- ⚠Not documenting the patient's response to treatment
- ⚠Not indicating whether the infection is the primary reason for the encounter
Range Statistics
19
Total Codes
89
Billable
Complexity:
Medium
Primary Use:Clinical Documentation
Chapter:
Coding Complexity
Medium
Complexity Rating
Coding for helminth infections is of medium complexity due to the need to accurately identify the type of worm causing the infection, the location of the infection in the body, any resulting complications, the patient's response to treatment, and whether the infection is the primary reason for the encounter. Coders must also be aware of any exclusions and use additional codes as necessary to fully describe the patient's condition.
Key Factors:
- ▸Determining the type of worm causing the infection
- ▸Determining the location of the infection in the body
- ▸Identifying any resulting complications
- ▸Determining the patient's response to treatment
- ▸Determining whether the infection is the primary reason for the encounter
Specialty Focus
Helminth infections are most commonly encountered in primary care, infectious disease, and gastroenterology specialties. They may also be seen in emergency medicine and pediatrics.
Primary Specialties:
Primary Care
30%
Infectious Disease
25%
Gastroenterology
20%
Clinical Scenarios:
- • A patient presents with abdominal pain and diarrhea. Lab tests confirm a diagnosis of ascariasis.
- • A patient with a known history of schistosomiasis presents with hematuria.
- • A patient presents with anemia and weight loss. Lab tests confirm a diagnosis of hookworm infection.
- • A patient presents with a pruritic rash. A skin scraping confirms a diagnosis of strongyloidiasis.
- • A patient presents with right upper quadrant pain and jaundice. Imaging studies reveal a liver fluke infection.
Resources & References
Resources for coding helminth infections include the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Official Guidelines:
- ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
- AHIMA
- AAPC
Clinical References:
- CDC
- World Health Organization (WHO)
Educational Materials:
- ICD-10-CM Coding Handbook
- ICD-10-CM Coding Workbook
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a B65-B83 code if the patient has symptoms suggestive of a helminth infection but testing is negative or inconclusive?
No, a B65-B83 code should only be used if there is a confirmed diagnosis of a helminth infection.