ICD-10 Guide

Epstein Barr Virus

ICD-10 Coding for Epstein-Barr Virus(B27.00, B97.21)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYInfectious Disease

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Epstein Barr Virus?

Essential facts and insights about Epstein-Barr Virus

Key Clinical Considerations:

Fever, fatigue, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes
Heterophile antibody test (Monospot), EBV-specific antibodies (VCA, EA, NA)
Lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, pharyngeal erythema

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Patient history, clinical findings, laboratory results
ICD-10-CM terminology for EBV infection
Example: 'Patient presents with symptoms consistent with infectious mononucleosis due to EBV.'

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Follow guidelines for coding infectious diseases, avoid unspecified codes when possible
Common errors include misdiagnosing EBV as other viral infections

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Other viral infections (e.g., CMV), conditions mimicking EBV symptoms
Alternative codes for complications like splenic rupture

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Infectious Disease

Specialty Applications

Adolescents and young adults, immunocompromised patients
Outpatient and inpatient settings

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

Comprehensive clinical documentation
Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
Proper exclusion considerations
Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Ensure proper documentation for billing
Verify code specificity requirements
Check for any additional codes needed
Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

Insufficient clinical documentation
Incorrect code selection
Missing supporting diagnoses
Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Include patient symptoms, lab results, and clinical assessment.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect the diagnosis and any associated complications.

Epstein Barr Virus

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?

Epstein Barr Virus

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?