2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A49Bacterial infection of unspecified site

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A30-A49›A49

ICD-10-CM A49
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

A49 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for bacterial infection of unspecified site, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as A49.01, A49.02, A49.1, and A49.2.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
A49
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Bacterial infection of unspecified site
Chapter
A30-A49
Other bacterial diseases

Code Classification

ChapterA00–B99Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
SectionA30-A49Other bacterial diseases
CategoryA49Bacterial infection of unspecified site
This CodeA49Bacterial infection of unspecified site

Specific Coding for Bacterial infection of unspecified siteOverview

Non-specific codes like A49 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • A49.0 for Staphylococcal infection, unspecified site

  • Use A49.01 for Methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus infection, unspecified site

  • Use A49.02 for Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection, unspecified site

  • Use A49.1 for Streptococcal infection, unspecified site

  • Use A49.2 for Hemophilus influenzae infection, unspecified site

  • Use A49.3 for Mycoplasma infection, unspecified site

  • Use A49.8 for Other bacterial infections of unspecified site

  • Use A49.9 for Bacterial infection, unspecified

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Type 1 Excludes

  • bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere B95 B96
  • chlamydial infection NOS A74.9
  • meningococcal infection NOS A39.9
  • rickettsial infection NOS A79.9
  • spirochetal infection NOS A69.9

Patient EducationClinical

Bacterial Infections

Bacteria are tiny organisms (living things) that have only one cell. Under a microscope, they look like balls, rods, or spirals. They can be found almost everywhere on Earth. There are lots of bacteria in and on your body. In fact, your body has about 10 times more bacteria cells than human cells.

The full article covers:

  • What are bacteria?
  • How do bacterial infections spread?
  • What are the treatments for bacterial infections?
  • Can bacterial infections be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About A49Overview

Is A49 (Bacterial infection of unspecified site) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for bacterial infection of unspecified site, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for bacterial infection of unspecified site need a more specific code from this category, such as A49.01, A49.02, and A49.1.