Version 2024
No Valid Principal Dx

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R50

Fever of other and unknown origin

ICD-10-CM Code:
R50
ICD-10 Code for:
Fever of other and unknown origin
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
    (R00–R99)
    • General symptoms and signs
      (R50-R69)
      • Fever of other and unknown origin
        (R50)

R50 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of fever of other and unknown origin. 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.

According to ICD-10-CM guidelines this code should not to be used as a principal diagnosis code when a related definitive diagnosis has been established.

Specific Coding Applicable to Fever of other and unknown origin

Non-specific codes like R50 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 fever of other and unknown origin:

  • Use R50.2 for Drug induced fever - BILLABLE CODE

  • R50.8 for Other specified fever - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R50.81 for Fever presenting with conditions classified elsewhere - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R50.82 for Postprocedural fever - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R50.83 for Postvaccination fever - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R50.84 for Febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reaction - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R50.9 for Fever, unspecified - 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.
  • chills without fever R68.83
  • febrile convulsions R56.0
  • fever of unknown origin during labor O75.2
  • fever of unknown origin in newborn P81.9
  • hypothermia due to illness R68.0
  • malignant hyperthermia due to anesthesia T88.3
  • puerperal pyrexia NOS O86.4

Patient Education


Fever

A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal. A normal temperature can vary from person to person, but it is usually around 98.6 °F (37 °C). A fever is not a disease. It is usually a sign that your body is trying to fight an illness or infection.

Infections cause most fevers. You get a fever because your body is trying to kill the virus or bacteria that caused the infection. Most of those bacteria and viruses do well when your body is at your normal temperature. But if you have a fever, it is harder for them to survive. Fever also activates your body's immune system.

Other causes of fevers include:

  • Medicines, including some antibiotics, blood pressure medicines, and anti-seizure medicines
  • Heat illness
  • Cancers
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Some childhood vaccines

Treatment depends on the cause of your fever. If the fever is very high, your health care provider may recommend taking an over-the-counter medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Adults can also take aspirin, but children with fevers should not take aspirin. It is also important to drink enough liquids, to prevent dehydration.


[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.