2025 ICD-10-CM code R50.9
(Active) Effective Date: N/A General symptoms and signs - Symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory systems 18 Feed
Fever, unspecified.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of a fever that warrants medical evaluation and possible intervention. The code R50.9 is used when a more specific diagnosis is not yet available.
Clinicians are responsible for determining the underlying cause of the fever and treating accordingly. This may involve ordering laboratory tests, imaging studies, or other diagnostic procedures. Supportive care, such as administering antipyretics like acetaminophen, may be necessary.
In simple words: This code represents a fever where the cause isn't known.
Fever of unknown origin [FUO], fever with chills, fever with rigors, hyperpyrexia NOS, persistent fever, pyrexia NOS.
Example 1: A patient presents with a fever of 102°F, but no other localizing symptoms. After a thorough evaluation, no source of infection or other cause for the fever can be identified. The diagnosis of fever, unspecified (R50.9) is assigned., A patient with a known autoimmune disorder experiences a sudden onset of fever and chills. Despite extensive testing, no infectious cause is found. The fever is attributed to an inflammatory flare-up related to the autoimmune disease, and R50.9 is used., A child is brought to the emergency room with a high fever and febrile convulsions. While the convulsions are treated, the underlying cause of the fever remains unknown after initial investigations. R50.9 is assigned until further diagnostic studies can be performed.
Documentation should include the degree of fever, associated symptoms (if any), and any diagnostic procedures performed to determine the cause. Negative findings should also be noted.
** It is important to continue the investigation for the cause of the fever and to update the diagnosis when more information becomes available.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Urgent Care Facility, Outpatient Hospital, Home