2025 ICD-10-CM code B89
Unspecified parasitic disease.
Medical necessity is established by the clinical findings suggestive of a parasitic infection, even when a specific parasite has not yet been identified.
Most patients affected with unspecified parasitic diseases remain asymptomatic or present with mild symptoms. Symptoms vary depending upon the body system affected. The provider diagnoses the disease based on history of exposure, symptoms, and physical examination. Laboratory tests, diagnostic procedures, and imaging studies depend on the type of infestation and the manifestations. Treatment may include drug therapy, removal of the parasite, and/or surgery.
In simple words: This code is used when a person has a parasitic infection, but doctors haven't been able to figure out exactly which parasite or disease is causing it.
Unspecified parasitic disease refers to a parasitic infection for which the provider fails to identify the parasite or disease.
Example 1: A patient presents with vague abdominal discomfort and fatigue. After ruling out other potential causes, the physician suspects a parasitic infection but cannot identify a specific parasite through initial testing. B89 is used until further investigation yields a definitive diagnosis., A traveler returning from a tropical region experiences intermittent diarrhea. Stool samples are inconclusive for common parasites. The physician uses B89 to document the suspected parasitic infection while awaiting results of more specialized tests., A child presents with intense itching, particularly at night.While scabies is suspected, examination doesn't confirm the presence of mites. The physician codes the condition as B89 to represent the possible parasitic infestation until a definitive diagnosis can be made.
Symptoms, relevant travel history, initial laboratory results, and any diagnostic procedures performed to identify the parasite should be documented.
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Travel Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital