B19 vs K73
B19 (Unspecified viral hepatitis) compared with K73 (Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified), from the official CMS tabular data. Do not report these codes together: the official tabular list marks them Excludes1.
Can these codes be reported together?
No — do not report together. K73 carries an Excludes1 note covering B19: “viral hepatitis (chronic) (B15-B19)”
Sole exception: when the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
Yes, when both are documented. K73 carries an Excludes2 note covering B19: “viral hepatitis (B15-B19)”
Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.
Side by side
| B19Unspecified viral hepatitis | K73Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Non-billable header | Non-billable header |
| Classification | A00-B99 — Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (A00-B99) | K00-K95 — Diseases of the Digestive System (K00-K95) |
| Definition | Unspecified viral hepatitis is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (B19). | Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (K73). |
| Use additional code | — | code, if applicable, for ascites (R18.8) |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources