Hepatitis C ICD-10-CM Codes | 2025

What are Hepatitis C ICD-10-CM Codes?

The ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification) provides a standardized system for documenting and coding diseases. These codes are essential for accurate diagnosis, billing, and treatment, particularly for conditions like hepatitis C, a serious viral hepatitis that affects the liver and can lead to cirrhosis, hepatic failure, or subacute hepatic failure if left untreated.

ICD-10-CM includes several specific codes related to hepatitis C virus infection, distinguishing between acute, chronic, and unspecified viral hepatitis C, and also whether it presents with or without hepatic coma.

• B17.1 – Acute hepatitis C: Used for acute hepatitis C infection, typically within six months of exposure. Represents early-stage viral hepatitis and is considered billable.
• B18.2 – Chronic viral hepatitis C: Used when the infection becomes long-term or chronic hepatitis. Often seen in patients with a history of intravenous drug abuse or contaminated blood parenterally.
• Z22.52 – Carrier of viral hepatitis C: Indicates a silent carrier state with no active symptoms but persistent hepatitis C virus presence. Applies to patients with no signs of acute or chronic symptoms.
• B19.20 – Unspecified viral hepatitis C without hepatic coma: Used when clinical details are lacking and the case is categorized as unspecified viral hepatitis C without hepatic coma. Applies to cases of hepatitis C without hepatic symptoms like coma.
• B19.21 – Unspecified viral hepatitis C with hepatic coma: Used for hepatitis C infection when documentation includes hepatic coma but doesn’t specify whether it’s acute or chronic.

Which hepatitis C ICD codes are billable?

• B17.1: Billable
• B18.2: Billable
• Z22.52: Billable
• B19.20: Billable
• B15.0: Not billable
• B16.9: Not billable

Clinical information

• Nature of the disease: Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes inflammatory liver diseases, and it can progress to cirrhosis of the liver, toxic liver disease, or even acute delta superinfection when coinfected with other viruses. Transmitted primarily through infectious and parasitic disease pathways, especially via contaminated blood parenterally.

• Symptoms: Many cases are asymptomatic, especially early on.s. When present, symptoms may include:
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Jaundice
  • Dark urine
  • Abdominal pain
  • Loss of appetite

• Acute vs. chronic infection: Develops within six months of exposure. Long-lasting condition that may lead to hepatic failure without coma, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.

• Complications: Untreated chronic viral hepatitis can cause:
  • Cirrhosis
  • Liver cancer
  • End-stage liver failure
  • Complications from coexisting conditions like alcoholic hepatitis or chronic viral hepatitis B

• Exposure and transmission: Hepatitis C is spread primarily through blood-to-blood contact, including:
  • Sharing needles or syringes
  • Blood transfusions before 1992
  • Needlestick injuries
  • Birth from a hepatitis C-infected mother
  • Less commonly through sexual contact or herpes simplex-associated exposures

• Diagnosis: Hepatitis C is diagnosed through antibody testing, RNA testing, and genotype testing.Antibody testing is used to detect exposure, RNA testing is used to confirm active infection, and genotype testing is used for treatment planning. These are helpful in differentiating specified acute viral hepatitis from unspecified viral hepatitis
• Treatment: Treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) based on genotype, severity, and liver condition. Over 95% cure rates reported with modern therapy. Treatment may be adapted for patients with hepatitis B with the delta agent or chronic viral hepatitis unspecified if coinfection is present.

• Prevention: No vaccine exists for Hepatitis C. Prevention focuses on:
  • Avoiding injection drug use
  • Safe medical practices
  • Screening high-risk populations

Synonyms include:

• HCV
• Hep C
• Chronic hep C
• Acute hep C
• Viral hepatitis C