2025 ICD-10-CM code B99
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Certain infectious and parasitic diseases - Other infectious diseases 1 Feed
This code encompasses infectious diseases not classified elsewhere.
Medical necessity for the use of B99 is established by the presence of signs and symptoms consistent with an infectious disease, even when a definitive diagnosis is not available. The documentation should support the need for medical intervention.
The physician's responsibility includes diagnosing the infectious disease, determining the cause if possible, and providing appropriate treatment. This may involve ordering laboratory tests, prescribing medications, and monitoring the patient's progress.
In simple words: This code is used for infectious diseases that don't have their own specific code, or when the doctor doesn't identify the exact germ causing the illness.
This category includes diseases caused by infectious organisms (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) that are not represented by another specific code. It also includes infectious diseases that the provider does not specifically name.
Example 1: A patient presents with fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, but the specific infectious agent is not identified. The physician may use code B99 to document the condition., A patient has a confirmed infection with a rare or unusual organism that doesn't have a specific ICD-10-CM code. B99 can be used in this case., A patient is diagnosed with an infectious disease, but the documentation does not specify the exact type. Code B99 may be used as a placeholder until a more specific diagnosis can be made.
Documentation should include signs, symptoms, laboratory findings, and any other information that supports the diagnosis of an infectious disease. If the specific organism is known, it should be documented.
** For accurate and comprehensive coding, consider using more specific codes whenever possible. Using this general code, B99, might impact reimbursement in some cases.
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, On Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Office, Independent Clinic, Federally Qualified Health Center