2025 ICD-10-CM code A49.8
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Infectious and parasitic diseases - Other bacterial diseases Certain infectious and parasitic diseases Feed
Other bacterial infections of unspecified site.
Medical necessity is established by the clinical evidence supporting the presence of a bacterial infection. The documentation should clearly indicate why the physician suspects a bacterial etiology despite the lack of a specific site identification. The diagnostic uncertainty and the need to initiate treatment based on the available information should be justified.
Clinicians should consider various diagnostic tools like laboratory tests of feces, blood, urine, throat swabs, CSF, or biopsy. Imaging tests such as X-ray, CT scan, and MRI can also help. Treatment typically includes rehydration and, in severe cases, antibiotics.
In simple words: This code indicates a bacterial infection somewhere in the body, but the exact location isn't known. It's used when the doctor knows it's a bacterial infection but can't pinpoint where it is.
This code represents a bacterial infection that is not otherwise specified and the site of infection is unknown.
Example 1: A patient presents with fever, fatigue, and body aches. Lab tests are inconclusive, but the physician suspects a bacterial infection, although the specific site is unknown. A49.8 would be used., A patient with a history of intravenous drug use develops a fever. Blood cultures are pending, but the clinical picture suggests a bacterial infection of unknown origin. A49.8 is appropriate., A patient exhibits signs of systemic infection, but initial diagnostic tests fail to identify a source or specific pathogen other than the presence of bacteria. A49.8 would be used until further testing reveals more information.
Documentation should support the presence of a bacterial infection and indicate that the site of infection is not identifiable through available diagnostic methods. Clinical findings, lab results, and the rationale for suspecting a bacterial infection should all be clearly documented.
** This code excludes bacterial infections causing diseases classified elsewhere and certain other infectious diseases like chlamydial, meningococcal, rickettsial, and spirochetal infections, which have their own specific codes.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, On Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Office, Independent Clinic, Federally Qualified Health Center, Public Health Clinic