A46 ICD-10-CM Code: Erysipelas
A46 is not a CMS-HCC payment code. MEAT criteria · RAF Calculator · HCC coding software
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FY 2026 Apr update / Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99) / Other bacterial diseases (A30-A49)
A46
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceErysipelas
Erysipelas is a superficial skin infection caused by bacteria (usually streptococcus) that causes redness, swelling, and warmth in affected areas, typically on the face or legs. It's a contagious condition that spreads through breaks in the skin and requires antibiotic treatment.
CMS-HCC V28
N/A—
Not mapped
CMS-HCC V24
HistoricalHistorical
Not used for CY2026 payment
ACA/HHS
N/A—
Not mapped
ESRD/PACE
N/A—
Not mapped
RXHCC
N/A—
Not mapped
Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
OfficialNo inclusion terms are included in this display for A46. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Excludes 2
Official- carrier or suspected carrier of infectious disease (Z22.-)Inherited from A00-B99
- infectious and parasitic diseases complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O98.-)Inherited from A00-B99
- infectious and parasitic diseases specific to the perinatal period (P35-P39)Inherited from A00-B99
- influenza and other acute respiratory infections (J00-J22)Inherited from A00-B99
Related Codes
No related codes are included in this display for A46. Check the Code Book for the complete code path.
Includes
Official- diseases generally recognized as communicable or transmissibleInherited from A00-B99
Excludes 1
Official- postpartum or puerperal erysipelas (O86.89)
- certain localized infections - see body system-related chaptersInherited from A00-B99
Code First
OfficialNo Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for A46. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Use Additional
Official- code to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16.-)Inherited from A00-B99
Code Also
OfficialNo Code Also instructions are included in this display for A46. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Buddy Documentation Tip
Current with CMS: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr 1 update (effective Apr 1 – Sep 30, 2026) · CMS-HCC V28, 100% phased in for payment year 2026. FY2027 code set already staged for October 1, 2026. How HCC Buddy stays current →
Is A46 an HCC code?
No. A46 is a billable ICD-10-CM code with no mapping under the current CMS-HCC V28 community payment model, and none under the ESRD, Part D RxHCC, or HHS-HCC models.
- Code
- A46
- Description
- Erysipelas
- HCC (V28)
- No CMS-HCC V28 mapping
- RAF reference coefficient
- —
- Billable
- Yes
- Payment year
- 2026
Coder workflow notes
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What This Code Means
A46 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for erysipelas. Erysipelas is a superficial skin infection caused by bacteria (usually streptococcus) that causes redness, swelling, and warmth in affected areas, typically on the face or legs. It's a contagious condition that spreads through breaks in the skin and requires antibiotic treatment. A46 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for certain infectious and parasitic diseases (a00-b99), within the section covering other bacterial diseases (a30-a49).
A46 is a billable ICD-10-CM code, but no current CMS-HCC V28 community payment mapping is shown, and none under the ESRD, Part D RxHCC, or HHS-HCC models. Do not assign risk adjustment value from this page when no source-backed mapping is shown; verify the applicable model and payment year.
Erysipelas is classified as an acute infectious disease; ensure documentation clearly distinguishes it from cellulitis (deeper skin infection) as they have different ICD-10 codes.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, source-labeled coefficient references, and MEAT documentation criteria for A46 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Erysipelas is classified as an acute infectious disease; ensure documentation clearly distinguishes it from cellulitis (deeper skin infection) as they have different ICD-10 codes
- •If the patient has recurrent erysipelas or it affects multiple body sites, document the specific location and laterality (left/right) as this may affect code selection and severity assessment
Excludes 1, Do NOT code together
- postpartum or puerperal erysipelas (O86.89)