Certain zoonotic bacterial diseases
ICD-10 Codes (49)
A21A21.0A21.1A21.2A21.3A21.7A21.8A21.9A22A22.0A22.1A22.2A22.7A22.8A22.9A23A23.0A23.1A23.2A23.3A23.8A23.9A24A24.0A24.1A24.2A24.3A24.9A25A25.0A25.1A25.9A26A26.0A26.7A26.8A26.9A27A27.0A27.8A27.81A27.89A27.9A28A28.0A28.1A28.2A28.8A28.9Updates & Changes
FY 2026 Updates
Revised Codes (2)
Deleted Codes
No codes deleted in this range for FY 2026
Historical Changes
- •FY 2025: Updated bioterrorism-related disease coding guidelines
- •FY 2024: Enhanced surveillance coding for zoonotic diseases
- •FY 2023: Revised plague coding to reflect modern diagnostic methods
Upcoming Changes
- •Proposed updates for emerging zoonotic disease classification
- •Under consideration: New codes for climate-related vector-borne diseases
Implementation Guidance
- •Review all FY 2026 updates for A20-A28 codes before implementation
- •Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
- •Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
- +3 more guidance items...
Range Overview
The ICD-10 category A20-A28 is dedicated to certain zoonotic bacterial diseases. These are diseases transmitted from animals to humans, caused by bacterial pathogens. The range includes conditions like plague, tularemia, anthrax, brucellosis, glanders, melioidosis, rat-bite fevers, and other zoonotic bacterial diseases not elsewhere classified.
Key Usage Points:
- •Ensure the correct code is selected based on the specific bacterial disease.
- •Consider the source of infection, if known, for more accurate coding.
- •Use additional codes to identify any associated conditions.
- •For diseases not elsewhere classified, use the 'other' category.
- •Remember that some zoonotic diseases may require notification to public health authorities.
Coding Guidelines
When to Use:
- ✓When a patient presents with a confirmed zoonotic bacterial disease.
- ✓When a patient has been exposed to a zoonotic bacterial disease and is showing symptoms.
- ✓When a patient has a history of a zoonotic bacterial disease that is relevant to current care.
- ✓When a patient is being treated for complications of a zoonotic bacterial disease.
When NOT to Use:
- ✗When a patient has been exposed but is asymptomatic.
- ✗When a patient presents with symptoms but the disease is unconfirmed.
- ✗When a patient has a history of a zoonotic bacterial disease that is not relevant to current care.
- ✗When a patient is being treated for a condition that is not a zoonotic bacterial disease.
Code Exclusions
Always verify exclusions against the latest ICD-10-CM official guidelines and the patient's clinical documentation.
Documentation Requirements
Proper documentation for zoonotic bacterial diseases should include the specific disease, source of infection if known, any associated conditions, and the patient's history with the disease.
Clinical Information:
- •Specific zoonotic bacterial disease
- •Source of infection
- •Associated conditions
- •Patient's history with the disease
Supporting Evidence:
- •Laboratory test results
- •Radiology reports
- •Clinical notes
- •Public health reports
Good Documentation Example:
Patient presented with fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Blood tests confirmed the diagnosis of tularemia. The patient reported recent exposure to rabbits.
Poor Documentation Example:
Patient presented with fever and fatigue. Diagnosed with tularemia.
Common Documentation Errors:
- ⚠Not specifying the zoonotic bacterial disease
- ⚠Not including the source of infection
- ⚠Not documenting associated conditions
- ⚠Not including the patient's history with the disease
Range Statistics
Coding Complexity
Coding for zoonotic bacterial diseases can be complex due to the need to identify the specific disease, source of infection, any associated conditions, and the patient's history with the disease. However, with proper documentation, these codes can be applied accurately.
Key Factors:
- ▸Identifying the specific zoonotic bacterial disease
- ▸Determining the source of infection
- ▸Identifying any associated conditions
- ▸Understanding the patient's history with the disease
Specialty Focus
These codes are primarily used by infectious disease specialists, emergency medicine physicians, and primary care providers. They may also be used by public health officials tracking disease outbreaks.
Primary Specialties:
Clinical Scenarios:
- • A patient presenting with symptoms of plague after a recent camping trip.
- • A patient with a history of brucellosis experiencing a recurrence of symptoms.
- • A patient presenting with symptoms of anthrax after exposure to infected livestock.
- • A patient with rat-bite fever presenting for follow-up care.
- • A patient presenting with symptoms of glanders after exposure to infected horses.
Resources & References
Resources for coding zoonotic bacterial diseases include the ICD-10-CM official guidelines, clinical reference materials, and educational resources on zoonotic diseases.
Official Guidelines:
- ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
- World Health Organization (WHO) ICD-10 guidelines
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ICD-10 resources
Clinical References:
- CDC information on zoonotic diseases
- WHO information on zoonotic diseases
Educational Materials:
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) ICD-10 training materials
- American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) ICD-10 resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a zoonotic bacterial disease?
A zoonotic bacterial disease is a disease that is transmitted from animals to humans and is caused by a bacterial pathogen.
What information is needed to code a zoonotic bacterial disease?
To code a zoonotic bacterial disease, you need to know the specific disease, the source of infection if known, any associated conditions, and the patient's history with the disease.