What does ICD-10 code B85 mean?

ICD-10 code B85 is the standardized code used for pediculosis and phthiriasis in medical records and coding systems.

When is ICD-10 code B85 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code B85 when recording pediculosis and phthiriasis in a standardized format. This entry may also act as a broader category that points toward more specific child codes.

Does ICD-10 code B85 confirm a diagnosis?

No. A code helps standardize documentation and claims, but it should not be read as a substitute for a clinician's full assessment.

ICD10

ICD-10 Code B85: Pediculosis and phthiriasis

Name: ICD-10 Code B85: Pediculosis and phthiriasis
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T06:01:36.540Z

B85 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Pediculosis and phthiriasis. You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen. ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99).

When is it used?

May be used when a clinician documents pediculosis and phthiriasis in a patient's medical record.
May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.

What it does not mean

A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.

Code hierarchy

chapter

1Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)

block

B85-B89Pediculosis, acariasis and other infestations

currentB85-B89

Where you may see this code

You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.

Related specialists

Infectious Disease SpecialistGeneral Physician

Sibling codes

B86Scabiesbillable B87Myiasis B88Other infestations B89Unspecified parasitic diseasebillable

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.

Legacy codes

B85

Replacement codes

B85.0 — Pediculosis due to Pediculus humanus capitisB85.1 — Pediculosis due to Pediculus humanus corporisB85.2 — Pediculosis, unspecifiedB85.3 — PhthiriasisB85.4 — Mixed pediculosis and phthiriasis

Common synonyms

Pediculosis and phthiriasis

Frequently asked questions

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.