B99 - Other and unspecified infectious diseases
| ICD-10: | B99 |
| Short Description: | Other and unspecified infectious diseases |
| Long Description: | Other and unspecified infectious diseases |
| Status: | Not Valid for Submission |
| Version: | ICD-10-CM 2023 |
| Code Classification: |
B99 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 other and unspecified infectious diseases. 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.
Unspecified diagnosis codes like B99 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.
Specific Coding for Other and unspecified infectious diseases
Non-specific codes like B99 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 other and unspecified infectious diseases:
Index to Diseases and Injuries References
The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10 code(s). The following references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index:
- - Arthropathy - See Also: Arthritis; - M12.9
- - postinfectious NEC - B99
- - Conjunctivitis (staphylococcal) (streptococcal) NOS - H10.9
- - in (due to)
- - infectious disease NEC - B99
- - in (due to)
- - Encephalitis (chronic) (hemorrhagic) (idiopathic) (nonepidemic) (spurious) (subacute) - G04.90
- - in (due to)
- - infectious disease NEC - B99
- - in (due to)
- - Iridocyclitis - H20.9
- - in (due to)
- - infectious disease NOS - B99
- - in (due to)
- - Mastoiditis (coalescent) (hemorrhagic) (suppurative) - H70.9
- - in (due to)
- - infectious disease NEC - B99
- - in (due to)
- - Myopathy - G72.9
- - in (due to)
- - infectious disease NEC - B99
- - in (due to)
- - Neuritis (rheumatoid) - M79.2
- - acoustic (nerve) - See Also: subcategory; - H93.3
- - in (due to)
- - infectious disease NEC - B99
- - in (due to)
- - acoustic (nerve) - See Also: subcategory; - H93.3
- - Otitis (acute) - H66.90
- - externa - H60.9
- - in (due to)
- - infectious disease NEC - B99
- - in (due to)
- - externa - H60.9
- - Palsy - See Also: Paralysis; - G83.9
- - cranial nerve - See Also: Disorder, nerve, cranial;
- - multiple - G52.7
- - in
- - infectious disease - B99
- - in
- - multiple - G52.7
- - cranial nerve - See Also: Disorder, nerve, cranial;
- - Pneumonia (acute) (double) (migratory) (purulent) (septic) (unresolved) - J18.9
- - postinfectional NEC - B99
- - Polyneuropathy (peripheral) - G62.9
- - in (due to)
- - infectious
- - disease NEC - B99
- - infectious
- - in (due to)
Patient Education
Infectious Diseases
Germs, or microbes, are found everywhere - in the air, soil, and water. There are also germs on your skin and in your body. Many of them are harmless, and some can even be helpful. But some of them can make you sick. Infectious diseases are diseases that are caused by germs.
There are many different ways that you can get an infectious disease:
- Through direct contact with a person who is sick. This includes kissing, touching, sneezing, coughing, and sexual contact. Pregnant mothers can also pass some germs along to their babies.
- Through indirect contact, when you touch something that has germs on it. For example, you could get germs if someone who is sick touched a door handle, and then you touch it.
- Through insect or animal bites
- Through contaminated food, water, soil, or plants
There are four main kinds of germs:
- Bacteria - one-celled germs that multiply quickly. They may give off toxins, which are harmful chemicals that can make you sick. Strep throat and urinary tract infections are common bacterial infections.
- Viruses - tiny capsules that contain genetic material. They invade your cells so that they can multiply. This can kill, damage, or change the cells and make you sick. Viral infections include HIV/AIDS and the common cold.
- Fungi - primitive plant-like organisms such as mushrooms, mold, mildew, and yeasts. Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection.
- Parasites - animals or plants that survive by living on or in other living things. Malaria is an infection caused by a parasite.
Infectious diseases can cause many different symptoms. Some are so mild that you may not even notice any symptoms, while others can be life-threatening. There are treatments for some infectious diseases, but for others, such as some viruses, you can only treat your symptoms. You can take steps to prevent many infectious diseases:
- Get vaccinated
- Wash your hands often
- Pay attention to food safety
- Avoid contact with wild animals
- Practice safe sex
- Don't share items such as toothbrushes, combs, and straws
[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)
