ICD-10 Guide

A02.20

Localized salmonella infection, unspecified

BILLABLE STATUSYes

IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015

LAST UPDATED09/04/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 A02.20 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of localized salmonella infection, unspecified.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Localized salmonella infection, unspecified

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

# Analysis of ICD-10 Code A02.20 - Localized Salmonella Infection, Unspecified ## Complexity Rating **Medium** ## Factors Contributing to Complexity 1. **Diagnosis Specificity**: - The term "localized salmonella infection" lacks specificity about the location and type of infection, which can lead to ambiguity in clinical documentation. - There are numerous serotypes of Salmonella, and understanding which specific strain is causing the localized infection can be crucial for treatment and coding accuracy. 2. **Clinical Presentation**: - Localized salmonella infections can manifest in various ways, such as gastroenteritis or localized infections in organs (e.g., osteomyelitis, septic arthritis). This variability adds complexity to diagnosis and documentation. - The clinical presentation may not always correlate directly with the ICD-10 code, requiring careful consideration of the patient's symptoms and history. 3. **Comorbid Conditions**: - Patients with underlying health conditions (e.g., immunocompromised states) may present with atypical symptoms or more severe manifestations, complicating the coding process. - The presence of other infections or diseases can impact treatment decisions and subsequent coding. 4. **Treatment Protocols**: - The treatment for localized salmonella infections may vary based on severity and patient factors, necessitating thorough documentation of the treatment provided. - Variability in clinical guidelines for managing localized infections could influence coding and billing. ## Audit Risks and Considerations 1. **Inadequate Documentation**: - The general nature of the code may lead to inadequate or vague clinical documentation, increasing the risk of audit findings. - Auditors may scrutinize the documentation for specificity and clarity in the diagnosis. 2. **Misuse of Codes**: - Coders may incorrectly assign A02.20 when a more specific code is available, leading to potential coding inaccuracies and financial repercussions. - Misinterpretation of the clinical information can result in inappropriate billing practices, raising compliance concerns. 3. **Reimbursement Issues**: - Ambiguities in the coding of localized infections may lead to denials or delays in reimbursement if the documentation does not clearly support the diagnosis. - The complexity of treatment protocols associated with localized infections can lead to discrepancies in expected versus actual reimbursement. ## Documentation Requirements 1. **Clinical History**: - Detailed patient history, including onset, duration, and severity of symptoms related to the localized infection. - Previous medical history, including any comorbidities that may influence the infection's course. 2. **Physical Examination Findings**: - Comprehensive documentation of physical exam findings that support the diagnosis of a localized salmonella infection. - Specific details regarding the localization of the infection (e.g., site and symptoms). 3. **Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests**: - Results from relevant laboratory tests (e.g., stool culture, blood tests) that help confirm the diagnosis of salmonella infection. - Documentation of any imaging studies performed to evaluate the extent of the localized infection. 4. **Treatment Plan and Response**: - Clear documentation of the treatment administered, including medications, surgical interventions, and follow-up plans. - Monitoring of the patient's response to treatment and any adjustments made to the treatment plan based on clinical progress. 5. **Consultations and Referrals**: - Notes on any consultations with specialists or referrals to other healthcare providers for managing the localized infection. By adhering to these documentation requirements and being aware of the complexity involved with ICD-10 code A02.20, healthcare providers can enhance the accuracy of coding and minimize audit risks.

Audit Risk Factors

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

General

Documentation Requirements

Standard requirements apply

Common Clinical Scenarios

Various clinical presentations

Billing Considerations

Follow standard billing guidelines

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use A02.20 When

Comprehensive Coding Guidelines for ICD
10 Code A02
Localized Salmonella Infection, Unspecified
Overview of A02
10 code A02
20 is used to classify localized infections caused by Salmonella species when the specific site of infection is not specified
This code is part of a broader category of salmonella infections, which can vary in presentation and severity
When to Use A02

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use A02.20 When

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
Exclusions:

Related CPT Codes

No CPT Codes Available

Related CPT codes for this diagnosis will be displayed here when available.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

Changes from ICD-9 to ICD-10

- In ICD-9, salmonella infections were primarily classified under code 003.x, which had limited granularity. The codes were more generalized, lacking the ability to specify types of salmonella infections or the sites of infection.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The implementation of ICD-10 brought significant changes in the way localized salmonella infections, specifically coded as A02.20 (Localized salmonella infection, unspecified), are captured and reported. Below is a detailed analysis of the impact of this coding transition, including changes from ICD-9, specificity improvements, reimbursement implications, documentation requirements, and provider workflow impacts. Changes from ICD-9 to ICD-10 1. Code Structure: - In ICD-9, salmonella infections were primarily classified under code 003.x, which had limited granularity. The codes were more generalized, lacking the ability to specify types of salmonella infections or the sites of infection. - ICD-10 introduced A02.20 as part of a more sophisticated coding structure, allowing for more precise identification of the nature of the infection. 2. Granularity: - ICD-9's structure had fewer options for specifying the type of salmonellosis, whereas ICD-10 provides a distinct code for localized infections, reflecting advancements in understanding these infections. Specificity Improvements - Site-Specific Diagnosis:...

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement implications, documentation requirements, and provider workflow impacts.

A02.20

Code Description

Key Diagnostic Point:

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Complexity Factors

Audit Risk Factors

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

General

Documentation Requirements

Common Clinical Scenarios

Billing Considerations

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Related CPT Codes

No CPT Codes Available

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

ICD-10 Improvements

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

Resources

Clinical References

Coding & Billing References

Frequently Asked Questions

A02.20

Code Description

Key Diagnostic Point:

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Complexity Factors

Audit Risk Factors

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

General

Documentation Requirements

Common Clinical Scenarios

Billing Considerations

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Related CPT Codes

No CPT Codes Available

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

ICD-10 Improvements

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

Resources

Clinical References

Coding & Billing References

Frequently Asked Questions