ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Hepatitis B: Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group B16 includes codes for acute hepatitis B virus infection, capturing presentations such as symptomatic acute hepatitis, icteric hepatitis, and hepatitis with delta-agent coinfection when specified. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical scenarios that reflect the acuity of infection, presence of jaundice or liver dysfunction, and any coinfections or complications relevant to the acute phase. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM B16 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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ICD-10-CM B16: Acute Hepatitis B Overview

The diagnoses in this group represent acute infection with hepatitis B virus affecting the liver, ranging from symptomatic acute hepatitis to icteric forms with jaundice and liver enzyme elevation. These conditions target the hepatobiliary system and can present with systemic symptoms such as malaise, anorexia, and right upper-quadrant pain. Accurate coding matters for proper documentation of disease acuity and impacts claim adjudication and reimbursement related to acute viral hepatitis care.

When to Use

Use a code from this group when a clinician documents an acute hepatitis B infection during the encounter, including symptomatic or icteric presentations and when coinfection with hepatitis D is specified. Select the most specific code that reflects the clinical presentation and any documented coinfection or complication.

ICD-10-CM Codes

4 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
B16.0	Acute hepatitis B with delta-agent with hepatic coma
B16.1	Acute hepatitis B with delta-agent without hepatic coma
B16.2	Acute hepatitis B without delta-agent with hepatic coma
B16.9	Acute hepatitis B without delta-agent and without hepatic coma

DRG Codes

5 rows

DRG Code	Description
441	Disorders of Liver Except Malignancy, Cirrhosis or Alcoholic Hepatitis with MCC
442	Disorders of Liver Except Malignancy, Cirrhosis or Alcoholic Hepatitis with CC
443	Disorders of Liver Except Malignancy, Cirrhosis or Alcoholic Hepatitis without CC/MCC
791	Prematurity with Major Problems
793	Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A young adult presents to the emergency department with sudden onset high fever, jaundice, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, nausea, and dark urine for three days after a recent known exposure to a household contact with acute hepatitis B. Laboratory testing shows markedly elevated ALT and AST, positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and detectable hepatitis B core IgM antibody, consistent with a new acute infection; an acute hepatitis B code is assigned to capture the current symptomatic infection. Typical codes: B16.0, B16.1
An older patient with no prior liver disease is evaluated in clinic for new-onset fatigue and scleral icterus one week after receiving a contaminated needlestick injury during a medical procedure; serologic testing reveals HBsAg positivity and IgM anti-HBc, confirming acute viral hepatitis B. Because this is an acute, occupationally acquired presentation with compatible symptoms and acute-phase serology, an acute hepatitis B code is used to document the diagnosis and inform public health reporting. Typical codes: B16.2, B16.1
A hospitalized patient with severe acute hepatic dysfunction develops coagulopathy and hepatic encephalopathy within days of presenting with jaundice and abdominal pain; testing confirms acute hepatitis B infection as the precipitant. The code chosen captures the acute nature of the viral hepatitis as the primary diagnosis driving the acute hepatic decompensation and inpatient care. Typical codes: B16.0, B16.9

Related Codes

B15-ACUTE-HEPATITIS-A

ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Hepatitis A: Group Overview

B17-OTHER-ACUTE-VIRAL-HEPATITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Acute Viral Hepatitis: Group Overview

B18-CHRONIC-VIRAL-HEPATITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Viral Hepatitis: Group Overview

B19-UNSPECIFIED-VIRAL-HEPATITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Unspecified Viral Hepatitis: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

4 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
B16.0	Acute hepatitis B with delta-agent with hepatic coma
B16.1	Acute hepatitis B with delta-agent without hepatic coma
B16.2	Acute hepatitis B without delta-agent with hepatic coma
B16.9	Acute hepatitis B without delta-agent and without hepatic coma

DRG Codes

5 rows

DRG Code	Description
441	Disorders of Liver Except Malignancy, Cirrhosis or Alcoholic Hepatitis with MCC
442	Disorders of Liver Except Malignancy, Cirrhosis or Alcoholic Hepatitis with CC
443	Disorders of Liver Except Malignancy, Cirrhosis or Alcoholic Hepatitis without CC/MCC
791	Prematurity with Major Problems
793	Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A young adult presents to the emergency department with sudden onset high fever, jaundice, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, nausea, and dark urine for three days after a recent known exposure to a household contact with acute hepatitis B. Laboratory testing shows markedly elevated ALT and AST, positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and detectable hepatitis B core IgM antibody, consistent with a new acute infection; an acute hepatitis B code is assigned to capture the current symptomatic infection. Typical codes: B16.0, B16.1
An older patient with no prior liver disease is evaluated in clinic for new-onset fatigue and scleral icterus one week after receiving a contaminated needlestick injury during a medical procedure; serologic testing reveals HBsAg positivity and IgM anti-HBc, confirming acute viral hepatitis B. Because this is an acute, occupationally acquired presentation with compatible symptoms and acute-phase serology, an acute hepatitis B code is used to document the diagnosis and inform public health reporting. Typical codes: B16.2, B16.1
A hospitalized patient with severe acute hepatic dysfunction develops coagulopathy and hepatic encephalopathy within days of presenting with jaundice and abdominal pain; testing confirms acute hepatitis B infection as the precipitant. The code chosen captures the acute nature of the viral hepatitis as the primary diagnosis driving the acute hepatic decompensation and inpatient care. Typical codes: B16.0, B16.9

Related Codes

B15-ACUTE-HEPATITIS-A

ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Hepatitis A: Group Overview

B17-OTHER-ACUTE-VIRAL-HEPATITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Acute Viral Hepatitis: Group Overview

B18-CHRONIC-VIRAL-HEPATITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Viral Hepatitis: Group Overview

B19-UNSPECIFIED-VIRAL-HEPATITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Unspecified Viral Hepatitis: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Hepatitis B: Group Overview

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ICD-10-CM B16: Acute Hepatitis B Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Hepatitis B: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Hepatitis B: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM B16: Acute Hepatitis B Overview

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which ICD-10-CM codes are included in the B16 group for acute hepatitis B?

What clinical presentations are represented by the ICD-10-CM B16 diagnoses?

How does specifying delta-agent coinfection affect coding within B16?

Why is accurate coding within ICD-10-CM B16 important for claims and documentation?

Which related DRGs may be relevant when B16 family codes are assigned?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which ICD-10-CM codes are included in the B16 group for acute hepatitis B?

What clinical presentations are represented by the ICD-10-CM B16 diagnoses?

How does specifying delta-agent coinfection affect coding within B16?

Why is accurate coding within ICD-10-CM B16 important for claims and documentation?

Which related DRGs may be relevant when B16 family codes are assigned?

References