ICD-10 Code for Yeast Infection (Candidiasis)
The ICD-10 code for yeast infection depends on the anatomical site: use B37.3 for vulvovaginal candidiasis (the most common "yeast infection"), B37.0 for oral thrush, B37.81 for esophageal candidiasis, or B37.9 for unspecified candidiasis.
Site-Specific ICD-10 Codes
The term "yeast infection" most commonly refers to vulvovaginal candidiasis in clinical practice, but candidiasis can affect multiple body sites, each with distinct coding:
Primary Codes by Location:
- B37.3 - Candidiasis of vulva and vagina (vulvovaginal candidiasis/VVC)
- B37.0 - Candidal stomatitis (oral thrush/oropharyngeal candidiasis)
- B37.81 - Candidal esophagitis
- B37.2 - Candidiasis of skin and nail
- B37.7 - Candidal sepsis (candidemia)
- B37.9 - Candidiasis, unspecified (use when site is not documented)
Additional Specific Codes:
- B37.1 - Pulmonary candidiasis
- B37.4 - Candidiasis of other urogenital sites
- B37.5 - Candidal meningitis
- B37.6 - Candidal endocarditis
- B37.82 - Candidal enteritis
- B37.83 - Candidal cheilitis
- B37.84 - Candidal otitis externa
- B37.89 - Other sites of candidiasis
Important Coding Considerations
Documentation Requirements:
For accurate coding, clinical documentation should specify:
- Anatomical site of infection (vaginal, oral, esophageal, etc.)
- Species identification when available (C. albicans vs. non-albicans species like C. glabrata)
- Severity classification (uncomplicated vs. complicated)
- Recurrence status (initial episode vs. recurrent VVC)
Common Pitfalls:
Be aware that ICD-10 codes significantly underestimate the true burden of candidiasis. Research demonstrates that administrative coding has poor sensitivity for detecting culture-confirmed candidemia cases—56% of proven candidemia cases received no candidiasis code at all 1. For invasive fungal infections in pediatric cancer patients, ICD-10 codes showed only 60% sensitivity overall, though sensitivity improved to 83% specifically for invasive candidiasis (B37.x codes) 2.
Clinical Context Matters:
The coding accuracy varies by clinical scenario:
- Proven invasive candidiasis: 77% sensitivity with ICD-10 codes 2
- Invasive candidiasis (B37.x codes): 83% sensitivity, 76% F1 score 2
- Candidemia: Only 44% of culture-confirmed cases receive appropriate coding 1
Practical Application:
When coding for billing or surveillance purposes:
- Use the most specific code available based on documented anatomical site
- Default to B37.9 only when site documentation is truly absent
- For vulvovaginal candidiasis, always use B37.3 (not B37.4 or B37.9)
- For recurrent VVC, the same B37.3 code applies—recurrence is documented in clinical notes, not through separate coding
- For complicated cases (severe, recurrent, non-albicans species, immunocompromised host), the same anatomical codes apply, but ensure clinical documentation reflects complexity for appropriate reimbursement
Species-Specific Considerations:
While ICD-10 does not differentiate between Candida species within most categories, clinical documentation should note:
- C. albicans (most common, typically uncomplicated)
- C. glabrata (often azole-resistant, requires different treatment approach) 3
- C. krusei (intrinsically fluconazole-resistant)
- Other non-albicans species
This distinction matters for treatment decisions and surveillance, even though the ICD-10 code remains the same 4.