A66.6

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

Yaws is a tropical infection caused by bacteria that can damage bones and joints, causing pain, swelling, and deformity. This code specifically identifies when the infection has affected the skeletal system.

Coding Tips

• •Yaws (A66) is an infectious disease primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions; verify the patient's geographic history or exposure when coding
• •When bone and joint lesions are documented, ensure this is the most specific code available rather than using a more general yaws code, and document which bones/joints are affected for complete medical record

Clinical Significance

Bone and joint lesions of yaws represent late-stage tropical infection that causes destructive skeletal changes, reflecting chronic infectious disease burden. While rare in the United States, this condition may be encountered in immigrant populations from endemic tropical regions and requires awareness of its distinct clinical and coding profile.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Confirmed yaws diagnosis (caused by Treponema pallidum pertenue) with serological testing
• ✓Specific bones and/or joints affected with imaging documentation
• ✓Stage of yaws infection (typically tertiary/late for bone involvement)
• ✓Geographic or exposure history supporting the diagnosis
• ✓Treatment plan and disease activity status

Commonly Confused Codes