Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A39.8

Other meningococcal infections

ICD-10-CM Code:
A39.8
ICD-10 Code for:
Other meningococcal infections
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
    (A00–B99)
    • Other bacterial diseases
      (A30-A49)
      • Meningococcal infection
        (A39)

A39.8 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of other meningococcal infections. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 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 Applicable to Other meningococcal infections

Non-specific codes like A39.8 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for other meningococcal infections:

  • 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

Clinical Information

  • Meningococcal Infections

    infections with bacteria of the species neisseria meningitidis.
  • Neisseria meningitidis

    a species of gram-negative, aerobic bacteria. it is a commensal and pathogen only of humans, and can be carried asymptomatically in the nasopharynx. when found in cerebrospinal fluid it is the causative agent of cerebrospinal meningitis (meningitis, meningococcal). it is also found in venereal discharges and blood. there are at least 13 serogroups based on antigenic differences in the capsular polysaccharides; the ones causing most meningitis infections being a, b, c, y, and w-135. each serogroup can be further classified by serotype, serosubtype, and immunotype.

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 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • 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. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.