ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for plague
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Plague”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding plague
The ICD-10-CM code for plague is A20.9 (Plague, unspecified). The official index lists 14 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on A20.9.
Within A20, choose A20.9 (unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: Bubonic plague (A20.0), Cellulocutaneous plague (A20.1), pneumonic plague (A20.2), meningitis (A20.3), Septicemic plague (A20.7) and other forms of plague (A20.8).
As a secondary diagnosis it is an MCC (major complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the highest-paying "with MCC" MS-DRG of its family, unless the principal diagnosis excludes it.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 867 (Other Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Diagnoses with MCC, relative weight 2.1859), DRG 868 (Other Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Diagnoses with CC, relative weight 1.0235) and DRG 869 (Other Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Diagnoses without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.6787), in MDC 18 (Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Systemic or Unspecified Sites), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
More specific plague codes (official index)
- abortive A20.8 — Other forms of plague
- ambulatory A20.8 — Other forms of plague
- asymptomatic A20.8 — Other forms of plague
- bubonic A20.0 — Bubonic plague
- cellulocutaneous A20.1 — Cellulocutaneous plague
- cutaneobubonic A20.1 — Cellulocutaneous plague
- lymphatic gland A20.0 — Bubonic plague
- meningitis A20.3 — Plague meningitis
- pharyngeal A20.8 — Other forms of plague
- pneumonic (primary) (secondary) A20.2 — Pneumonic plague
- pulmonary, pulmonic A20.2 — Pneumonic plague
- septicemic A20.7 — Septicemic plague
- tonsillar A20.8 — Other forms of plague
- septicemic A20.7 — Septicemic plague
Common questions about plague ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for plague?
- A20.9 — Plague, unspecified. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: A20.8, A20.8, A20.8, A20.0 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for abortive plague?
- A20.8 — Other forms of plague.
What is the ICD-10 code for ambulatory plague?
- A20.8 — Other forms of plague.
What is the ICD-10 code for asymptomatic plague?
- A20.8 — Other forms of plague.
What is the ICD-10 code for bubonic plague?
- A20.0 — Bubonic plague.
What is the ICD-10 code for cellulocutaneous plague?
- A20.1 — Cellulocutaneous plague.
What is the ICD-10 code for cutaneobubonic plague?
- A20.1 — Cellulocutaneous plague.
Is A20.9 billable?
- Yes. A20.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can A20.9 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict A20.9 as a principal diagnosis.
Is A20.9 a CC or MCC?
- A20.9 is an MCC (major complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.