ICD-10 Code B71.9 – Cestode infection, unspecified (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code B71.9 – Cestode infection, unspecified
What it is
B71.9 identifies a cestode, or tapeworm, infection when the specific species is not documented. Use it for an intestinal or tissue tapeworm diagnosis that is recorded only as unspecified.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Tapeworm infection may be noted with abdominal discomfort, passage of worm segments, weight loss, or incidental finding of ova or parasite evidence.
When to use this code
Use B71.9 when the provider documents cestode infection but does not name the organism, such as Taenia, Diphyllobothrium, or Echinococcus. It also fits when the record confirms tapeworm infection but the type remains unclear. Check documentation if the note suggests a more specific parasitic diagnosis.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for cestode exposure without confirmed infection, or when a specific tapeworm species is documented and a more precise code is available. Do not assign it if the record points to a different helminth infection.
Coding tip
Before coding B71.9, look for the parasite name in pathology, stool studies, or the assessment; a documented species usually supports a more specific code.