A28.1 ICD-10-CM Code: Cat-scratch disease
HCC Buddy Code Card
Digital ICD-10 code-book layout with official code detail, always-visible risk models, Code Trumping, and Buddy coding guidance.
FY 2026 Apr update / Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99) / Certain zoonotic bacterial diseases (A20-A28)
A28.1
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceCat-scratch disease
Cat-scratch disease is an infection caused by bacteria transmitted through cat scratches or bites, typically resulting in swollen lymph nodes near the scratch site. It's usually a mild, self-limiting condition that resolves on its own within a few weeks.
CMS-HCC V28
00
RAF 0
CMS-HCC V24
00
RAF 0
ACA/HHS
00
RAF 0
ESRD/PACE
00
RAF 0
RXHCC
00
RAF 0
Code Trumping
Basket needed
Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
Official- Cat-scratch fever
Excludes 2
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 2 notes for A28.1 in this effective period.
Related Child Codes
Includes
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for A28.1 in this effective period.
Excludes 1
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 1 notes for A28.1 in this effective period.
Code First
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Code First sequencing instructions for A28.1 in this effective period.
Use Additional
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for A28.1 in this effective period.
Code Also
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for A28.1 in this effective period.
Buddy Documentation Tip
Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr update, Apr 1, 2026 through Sep 30, 2026. CMS-HCC V28 is 100% phased in for payment year 2026.
Is A28.1 an HCC code?
No. A28.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to any HCC category in V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC.
This code does not map to an HCC category in any model (V28, V24, ESRD, RxHCC).
What This Code Means
A28.1 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for cat-scratch disease. Cat-scratch disease is an infection caused by bacteria transmitted through cat scratches or bites, typically resulting in swollen lymph nodes near the scratch site. It's usually a mild, self-limiting condition that resolves on its own within a few weeks. A28.1 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for certain infectious and parasitic diseases (a00-b99), within the section covering certain zoonotic bacterial diseases (a20-a28).
A28.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to a payment HCC under the CMS-HCC V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC risk adjustment models. It can be reported on Medicare Advantage encounter data submissions but it does not contribute to a beneficiary's RAF score and therefore does not affect risk-adjusted payments to the plan.
Verify documentation clearly states 'cat-scratch disease' or 'bartonella henselae infection' to distinguish from other animal bite complications.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for A28.1 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Verify documentation clearly states 'cat-scratch disease' or 'bartonella henselae infection' to distinguish from other animal bite complications
- •This code does not require a separate external cause code for the animal contact; the diagnosis itself indicates the source