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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther bacterial diseasesICD-10-CM a38-scarlet-fever
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Scarlet Fever: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group A38 includes diagnoses for scarlet fever and related streptococcal toxin-mediated manifestations such as pharyngeal infection with characteristic rash. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document acute streptococcal infections where clinical features, severity, and complications such as systemic involvement or characteristic rash require capture. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM A38 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM A38: Scarlet Fever Overview

    The ICD-10-CM A38 group represents scarlet fever, an acute infectious disease caused by toxin-producing group A Streptococcus that primarily affects the skin and pharynx. These diagnoses target the infectious disease and integumentary manifestations associated with streptococcal infection. Accurate coding matters for proper clinical documentation and for ensuring appropriate reimbursement and public health reporting.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a patient has a clinical diagnosis of scarlet fever confirmed by presentation or laboratory testing, including streptococcal pharyngitis with characteristic rash. Codes are selected to reflect the presence of the rash, severity, and any associated complications that affect clinical management or documentation.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    4 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A38.0Scarlet fever with otitis media
    A38.1Scarlet fever with myocarditis
    A38.8Scarlet fever with other complications
    A38.9Scarlet fever, uncomplicated

    DRG Codes

    3 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    867Other Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Diagnoses with MCC
    868Other Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Diagnoses with CC
    869Other Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Diagnoses without CC/MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • A 6-year-old child presents to urgent care with sudden onset fever, sore throat, headache, and a diffuse sandpaper-like rash that began on the trunk and spread to the extremities after 24 hours. On exam there is circumoral pallor and a strawberry tongue; rapid strep testing and throat culture confirm Group A Streptococcus infection, and the presentation is consistent with classic scarlet fever, prompting assignment of A38.0. Typical codes: A38.0
    • A 28-year-old adult is evaluated in primary care for a recent mild febrile illness with pharyngitis and a faint maculopapular rash following exposure to a household contact diagnosed with streptococcal pharyngitis. Symptoms are less severe, vital signs are stable, and testing confirms streptococcal infection; this less pronounced scarlatiniform presentation without systemic toxicity is coded as A38.9. Typical codes: A38.9
    • A pediatric inpatient is admitted with streptococcal infection complicated by focal soft tissue inflammation and desquamation after initial rash; the child had prior outpatient treatment but now shows complications of the scarlatiniform illness requiring inpatient management, so a specified or other scarlet fever code reflecting complication or atypical presentation is assigned, such as A38.1 or A38.8 depending on documented manifestations. Typical codes: A38.1, A38.8

    Related Codes

    A30-LEPROSY-HANSEN-S-DISEASE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Leprosy Hansen's Disease: Group Overview

    A31-INFECTION-DUE-TO-OTHER-MYCOBACTERIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Infection Due To Other Mycobacteria: Group Overview

    A32-LISTERIOSIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Listeriosis: Group Overview

    A33-TETANUS-NEONATORUM

    ICD-10-CM Code For Tetanus Neonatorum: Group Overview

    A34-OBSTETRICAL-TETANUS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Obstetrical Tetanus: Group Overview

    A35-OTHER-TETANUS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Tetanus: Group Overview

    A36-DIPHTHERIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Diphtheria: Group Overview

    A37-WHOOPING-COUGH

    ICD-10-CM Code For Whooping Cough: Group Overview

    A39-MENINGOCOCCAL-INFECTION

    ICD-10-CM Code For Meningococcal Infection: Group Overview

    A41-OTHER-SEPSIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Sepsis: Group Overview

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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