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B38.4 ICD-10-CM Code: Coccidioidomycosis meningitis

Compare with another code for B38.4Check this code on a claim

Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.

Coding at a Glance

Official instructions
2 Excludes2

What these terms mean →

Billable · FY2027A valid, specific ICD-10-CM code, reportable for dates of service in FY2027.

What you need to know

Source: CMS/NCHS Official ICD-10-CM tabular notes, quoted. From the CMS/NCHS tabular list for the release in force. A note the category or block publishes applies to this code too, and is marked with where it comes from.

Excludes2from B35-B49Not included here; may be reported together
  • hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to organic dust (J67.-)
  • mycosis fungoides (C84.0-)

Where it sits Source: CMS/NCHS

Under:Chapter 1: Certain Infectious and Parasitic DiseasesB35-B49 MycosesB38 Coccidioidomycosis

Most relevant related codes MedCoder-derived

Read off the official notes above and this code’s own position in the tabular list. Which to report is a documentation question; Compare shows the two side by side.

CompareCheck ClaimView Related Codes

Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v44, Appendix B.

  • MS-DRG 023 — CRANIOTOMY WITH MAJOR DEVICE IMPLANT OR ACUTE COMPLEX CNS PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS WITH MCC OR ANTINEOPLASTIC IMPLANT OR EPILEPSY WITH NEUROSTIMULATOR (MDC 01)
  • MS-DRG 024 — CRANIOTOMY WITH MAJOR DEVICE IMPLANT OR ACUTE COMPLEX CNS PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS WITHOUT MCC (MDC 01)
  • MS-DRG 097 — NON-BACTERIAL INFECTION OF NERVOUS SYSTEM EXCEPT VIRAL MENINGITIS WITH MCC (MDC 01)
  • MS-DRG 098 — NON-BACTERIAL INFECTION OF NERVOUS SYSTEM EXCEPT VIRAL MENINGITIS WITH CC (MDC 01)
  • MS-DRG 099 — NON-BACTERIAL INFECTION OF NERVOUS SYSTEM EXCEPT VIRAL MENINGITIS WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 01)
  • MS-DRG 791 — PREMATURITY WITH MAJOR PROBLEMS (MDC 15)
  • MS-DRG 793 — FULL TERM NEONATE WITH MAJOR PROBLEMS (MDC 15)
  • MS-DRG 974 — HIV WITH MAJOR RELATED CONDITION WITH MCC (MDC 25)
  • MS-DRG 975 — HIV WITH MAJOR RELATED CONDITION WITH CC (MDC 25)
  • MS-DRG 976 — HIV WITH MAJOR RELATED CONDITION WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 25)

A diagnosis appearing in a group's logic does not by itself determine the DRG assigned to a stay; the grouper uses the full claim.

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for B38.4 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2027Effective: October 1, 2026

Trace:FY2027 changesChange historyRelease, file and checksum

Notes without a marker are published on B38.4 itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.

Source: inherited from B35-B49

Coder workflow for B38.4

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement
Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).
Acuity
Acute or chronic as documented; when both are documented and separate codes exist, both are reported with the acute code first (Guidelines I.B.8).

Official instructions as workflow

  • Excludes2 — not part of B38.4(2 notes)

    Coding workflow: The conditions named in this note are not included in B38.4. When the record documents both, both may be reported; the note is a boundary, not a prohibition.

    CompareJ67, C84.0

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.b

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Don’t confuse B38.4 with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of B38.4 — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

  • B38.2— Specificity relationship (Review)

    Overlapping diagnoses in the same category.

    Overlapping codes in the same category — the documentation decides which is the more specific fit.

    What moves you there: A record that documents no more than “Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, unspecified” takes B38.2; specificity in the record moves it back here.

    Full comparison: B38.4 vs B38.2 →

  • J67— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to organic dust adds J67; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: B38.4 vs J67 →

  • C84.0— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of mycosis fungoides adds C84.0; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: B38.4 vs C84.0 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Coding context

Guidelines, coding notes, decision aids, relationships (with MS-DRG and CCSR classification), hierarchy, HCC, coverage and the context map: what a coder reaches for after the core. Each section names whether it is official source data, a MedCoder-derived relationship or MedCoder editorial.

Code Overview

Coccidioidomycosis meningitis is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (B38.4).

MedCoder summary Summary composed by MedCoder from this code's official ICD-10-CM record. The tabular instructional notes themselves appear verbatim below.

Verify Before Coding

  • MCC as a secondary diagnosis (FY2027). Can raise the stay's MS-DRG severity tier.

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder-derived relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name B38.4 or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.

Referenced by 1 Excludes1 note: G02 — Meningitis in other infectious and parasitic diseases classified elsewhere.

These codes’ tabular lists mark this diagnosis as mutually exclusive — not reported together unless the conditions are documented as unrelated.

Referenced by 1 Code First instruction: M01 — Direct infections of joint in infectious and parasitic diseases classified elsewhere (via B38.-).

Each of these codes carries a Code First note naming this condition — when that code is reported, THIS code is sequenced first, ahead of it.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2027)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2027 MS-DRG: MCC — Major Complication or Comorbidity. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, this code raises the stay's MS-DRG severity tier — except when the principal diagnosis is one of 49 clinically related codes on its CMS exclusion list. Does not count toward severity when the stay groups to DRGs 974-976 (HIV with Major Related Condition).

Named in the grouper logic of 10 MS-DRGs: DRG 023 (MDC 01), DRG 024 (MDC 01), DRG 097 (MDC 01), DRG 098 (MDC 01), DRG 099 (MDC 01), DRG 791 (MDC 15), DRG 793 (MDC 15), DRG 974 (MDC 25), DRG 975 (MDC 25), DRG 976 (MDC 25).

From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):NVS001 — Meningitis (default); INF004 — Fungal infections.

Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Related Codes

Same clinical process (MS-DRG)

Acts as MCC — raises the severity of other admissions. CMS groups these diagnoses into one MS-DRG principal-diagnosis exclusion process — a CC/MCC on this list never raises severity when the principal diagnosis is also on it.

A54.9 — Gonococcal infection, unspecified, A87.0 — Enteroviral meningitis, A87.1 — Adenoviral meningitis, A87.2 — Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, A87.8 — Other viral meningitis, A87.9 — Viral meningitis, unspecified, B00.3 — Herpesviral meningitis, B02.1 — Zoster meningitis, B26.1 — Mumps meningitis, B37.5 — Candidal meningitis, B38.7 — Disseminated coccidioidomycosis, B38.89 — Other forms of coccidioidomycosis, B38.9 — Coccidioidomycosis, unspecified, B45.1 — Cerebral cryptococcosis, B48.3 — Geotrichosis, B49 — Unspecified mycosis, B58.2 — Toxoplasma meningoencephalitis, B92 — Sequelae of leprosy, B94.2 — Sequelae of viral hepatitis, B94.8 — Sequelae of other specified infectious and parasitic diseases, +28 more

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical categories (Meningitis, Fungal infections).

B37.81 — Candidal esophagitis, B37.82 — Candidal enteritis, B37.83 — Candidal cheilitis, B37.84 — Candidal otitis externa, B37.89 — Other sites of candidiasis, B37.9 — Candidiasis, unspecified, B38.0 — Acute pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, B38.1 — Chronic pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, B38.2 — Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, unspecified, B38.3 — Cutaneous coccidioidomycosis, B38.7 — Disseminated coccidioidomycosis, B38.81 — Prostatic coccidioidomycosis, B38.89 — Other forms of coccidioidomycosis, B38.9 — Coccidioidomycosis, unspecified, B39.0 — Acute pulmonary histoplasmosis capsulati, B39.1 — Chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis capsulati, B39.2 — Pulmonary histoplasmosis capsulati, unspecified, B39.3 — Disseminated histoplasmosis capsulati, B39.4 — Histoplasmosis capsulati, unspecified, B39.5 — Histoplasmosis duboisii, +130 more

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main terms “Granuloma”, “Meningitis”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

B00.3 — Herpesviral meningitis (in, herpesvirus), B01.0 — Varicella meningitis (in, varicella), B02.1 — Zoster meningitis (in, zoster), B05.1 — Measles complicated by meningitis (in, measles), B06.02 — Rubella meningitis (in, rubella), B26.1 — Mumps meningitis (in, mumps), B27.92 — Infectious mononucleosis, unspecified with meningitis (in, infectious mononucleosis), B35.8 — Other dermatophytoses (Majocchi's), B37.2 — Candidiasis of skin and nail (monilial), B37.5 — Candidal meningitis (candidal), B41.8 — Other forms of paracoccidioidomycosis (paracoccidioidal), B42.81 — Cerebral sporotrichosis (sporotrichosis), B45.1 — Cerebral cryptococcosis (cryptococcal), B49 — Unspecified mycosis (mycotic NEC), B56.9 — African trypanosomiasis, unspecified (in, African trypanosomiasis), B57.41 — Meningitis in Chagas' disease (in, Chagas' disease), B65.9 — Schistosomiasis, unspecified (brain, schistosomiasis), B83.2 — Angiostrongyliasis due to Parastrongylus cantonensis (eosinophilic), B83.9 — Helminthiasis, unspecified (peritoneum, due to ova of helminths NOS), B89 — Unspecified parasitic disease (in, parasitic disease NEC), +90 more

Lab tests where this diagnosis supports Medicare coverage (NCD)

Medicare's National Coverage Determination (NCD) program lists this diagnosis as medical justification for these lab tests.

HIV Screening Test

Contextual Map

Every relationship of B38.4 in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Run B38.4 with these 2 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Referenced by Excludes1 notes

Referenced by Code First instructions

Clinical classification (CCSR)

MS-DRG Grouper (10)

MDC crossing

  • MDC 01 — Diseases and Disorders of the Nervous System[MDC crossing]: “Diseases and Disorders of the Nervous System — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs. 8,919 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2027
  • MDC 15 — Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in Perinatal Period[MDC crossing]: “Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in Perinatal Period — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2027

Index entries

  • Coccidioidomycosis, meninges[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2027
  • Granuloma, coccidioidal (primary) (progressive), meninges[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2027
  • Meningitis (basal) (basic) (brain) (cerebral) (cervical) (congestive) (diffuse) (hemorrhagic) (infantile) (membranous) (metastatic) (nonspecific) (pontine) (progressive) (simple) (spinal) (subacute) (sympathetic) (toxic), in (due to), coccidioidomycosis[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2027

Nearest codes (10)

Change history

  • FY2016 — In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption [Change history]— CMS release files (code change ledger) · icd10cm-fy2016

Reference

Index terms and tables, published questions and FAQ, every source behind this page with its release and checksum, the date-of-service check and the complete change history.

Indexed Clinical Terms (3)

Official source data — entries quoted as published, in the Index’s own lookup phrasing

Clinical term phrases from the official ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries that map to this code. These are alphabetic-index entries shown as the Index writes them — lookup phrasing, not necessarily the wording of a final diagnosis.

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data
CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2027 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2026 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Claim edits Official source data
CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v44.0 (October 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Inpatient payment groups Official source data
CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (incl. Appendix B diagnosis index, Appendix C CC/MCC list, Appendix E procedure index) and IPPS Final Rule tables — v44 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data
CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder-derived relationship
Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears
Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder editorial explanation
Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Current data releases:ICD-10-CM FY2027 · ICD-10-PCS FY2027 · HCPCS October 2026 · MS-DRG v44 · Medicare Code Editor v44.0 · NCCI PTP Q4 2026 · MUE Q4 2026 · NCD code lists 2026-01 · LCD export September 28, 2026 · All releases and sources

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder-derived relationship · MedCoder editorial explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates · CMS coding rules

Cite this page

Reference this page in a research guide, syllabus or article. The release is included because code content changes each year.

MedCoder.ai. "B38.4 — Coccidioidomycosis meningitis." ICD-10-CM FY2027. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/b38.4-coccidioidomycosis-meningitis

Change history

  • FY2016 — October 1, 2015
    In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption
    Coccidioidomycosis meningitis

No changes since FY2016 — additions, deletions, description changes and billable-status changes are tracked through FY2027, and none are recorded for this code. Note changes are tracked from FY2027 only.

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to B38.4 in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the B38 family