Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A48

Other bacterial diseases, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Code:
A48
ICD-10 Code for:
Other bacterial diseases, not elsewhere classified
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
    (A00–B99)
    • Other bacterial diseases
      (A30-A49)
      • Other bacterial diseases, not elsewhere classified
        (A48)

A48 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 bacterial diseases, not elsewhere classified. 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 bacterial diseases, not elsewhere classified

Non-specific codes like A48 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 bacterial diseases, not elsewhere classified:

  • Use A48.0 for Gas gangrene - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use A48.1 for Legionnaires' disease - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use A48.2 for Nonpneumonic Legionnaires' disease [Pontiac fever] - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use A48.3 for Toxic shock syndrome - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use A48.4 for Brazilian purpuric fever - BILLABLE CODE

  • A48.5 for Other specified botulism - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use A48.51 for Infant botulism - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use A48.52 for Wound botulism - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use A48.8 for Other specified bacterial diseases - BILLABLE CODE

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.

Patient Education


Bacterial Infections

Bacteria are living things that have only one cell. Under a microscope, they look like balls, rods, or spirals. They are so small that a line of 1,000 could fit across a pencil eraser. Most types of don't make you sick. Many types are helpful. Some of them help to digest food, destroy disease-causing cells, and give the body needed vitamins. Bacteria are also used in making healthy foods like yogurt and cheese.

But infectious bacteria can make you ill. They reproduce quickly in your body. Many give off chemicals called toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Examples of bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli.

Antibiotics are the usual treatment. When you take antibiotics, follow the directions carefully. Each time you take antibiotics, you increase the chances that bacteria in your body will learn to resist them causing antibiotic resistance. Later, you could get or spread an infection that those antibiotics cannot cure.

NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases


[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.