Question 1

What is ICD-10 code B79?

Accepted Answer

B79 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for trichuriasis. A parasitic infection caused by whipworms that live in the colon and cecum, causing chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, and anemia. B79 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for certain infectious and parasitic diseases (a00-b99), within the section covering helminthiases (b65-b83).

B79 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.

Trichuriasis is often found in mixed infections with other helminths; document all parasites identified.

Question 2

Is B79 an HCC code?

Accepted Answer

No. B79 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to any payment HCC category under the CMS-HCC V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC risk adjustment models. It can still be reported on Medicare Advantage encounter data submissions, but it does not contribute to the beneficiary's Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF) score and therefore does not affect the risk-adjusted capitation payment to the plan. V28 reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026.

Question 3

Is B79 billable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. B79 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can be reported on professional and institutional claims as a primary or secondary diagnosis when the provider documentation supports the specific condition described. Billable codes in ICD-10-CM are coded to the highest level of specificity available for the documented diagnosis. B79 is current for fiscal year 2026 and remains in the active CMS ICD-10-CM code set published by the National Center for Health Statistics.

Question 4

What is the V28 vs V24 difference for B79?

Accepted Answer

B79 does not map to a payment HCC under either the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model or the older V24 model. V28 reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026, replacing V24 which was used during the PY2024–PY2025 transition. Because neither model rewards B79 with a risk adjustment factor, it contributes zero to a Medicare Advantage beneficiary's RAF score in either version. Coders should check whether provider documentation supports a more specific child code that does map to a payment HCC.

Question 5

What should coders know when reporting B79?

Accepted Answer

Trichuriasis is often found in mixed infections with other helminths; document all parasites identified Heavy infections can cause rectal prolapse and severe malnutrition, particularly in children; document severity if present

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B79

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B79 ICD-10-CM Code: Trichuriasis

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B79

Is B79 an HCC code?

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What This Code Means

Coding Tips

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Code Hierarchy

Work B79 in HCC Buddy