A39 - Meningococcal infection
| ICD-10: | A39 |
| Short Description: | Meningococcal infection |
| Long Description: | Meningococcal infection |
| Status: | Not Valid for Submission |
| Version: | ICD-10-CM 2023 |
| Code Classification: |
A39 is a non-specific and non-billable ICD-10 code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of meningococcal infection. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2023 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.
Specific Coding for Meningococcal infection
Non-specific codes like A39 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10 codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for meningococcal infection:
- BILLABLE CODE - Use A39.0 for Meningococcal meningitis
- BILLABLE CODE - Use A39.1 for Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
- BILLABLE CODE - Use A39.2 for Acute meningococcemia
- BILLABLE CODE - Use A39.3 for Chronic meningococcemia
- BILLABLE CODE - Use A39.4 for Meningococcemia, unspecified
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - A39.5 for Meningococcal heart disease
- BILLABLE CODE - Use A39.50 for Meningococcal carditis, unspecified
- BILLABLE CODE - Use A39.51 for Meningococcal endocarditis
- BILLABLE CODE - Use A39.52 for Meningococcal myocarditis
- BILLABLE CODE - Use A39.53 for Meningococcal pericarditis
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - A39.8 for Other meningococcal infections
- BILLABLE CODE - Use A39.81 for Meningococcal encephalitis
- BILLABLE CODE - Use A39.82 for Meningococcal retrobulbar neuritis
- BILLABLE CODE - Use A39.83 for Meningococcal arthritis
- BILLABLE CODE - Use A39.84 for Postmeningococcal arthritis
- BILLABLE CODE - Use A39.89 for Other meningococcal infections
- BILLABLE CODE - Use A39.9 for Meningococcal infection, unspecified
Patient Education
Meningococcal Infections
Meningococci are a type of bacteria that cause serious infections. The most common infection is meningitis, which is an inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Meningococci can also cause other problems, including a serious bloodstream infection called sepsis.
Meningococcal infections can spread from person to person. Risk factors include:
- Age - it is more common in infants, teens, and young adults
- Living in close quarters, such as in college dorms or military settings
- Certain medical conditions, such as not having a spleen
- Travel to areas where meningococcal disease is common
In its early stages, you may have flu-like symptoms and a stiff neck. But the disease can progress quickly and can be fatal. Early diagnosis and treatment are extremely important. Lab tests on your blood and cerebrospinal fluid can tell if you have it. Treatment is with antibiotics. Since the infection spreads from person to person, family members may also need to be treated.
A vaccine can prevent meningococcal infections.
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]
Code History
- FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
- FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
- FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
- FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
- FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
- FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
- FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
- FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016 (First year ICD-10-CM implemented into the HIPAA code set)
