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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesA04.9

A04.9

Bacterial intestinal infection, unspecified

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/04/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 A04.9 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of bacterial intestinal infection, unspecified.

Key Diagnostic Point:

This code is used to classify bacterial infections of the intestines that are not specified further. It encompasses a variety of infections caused by different bacterial pathogens affecting the gastrointestinal tract.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of potential bacterial pathogens
  • Symptoms may overlap with viral or parasitic infections

Audit Risk Factors

    Specialty Focus

    Medical Specialties

    Gastroenterology

    Documentation Requirements

    Detailed patient history, laboratory test results, and clinical findings.

    Common Clinical Scenarios

    Patients presenting with diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever without a clear bacterial pathogen identified.

    Billing Considerations

    Consideration of recent travel history, antibiotic use, and exposure to contaminated food or water.

    Coding Guidelines

    Inclusion Criteria

    Use A04.9 When
    • Use this code when the specific bacterial organism is not identified, and ensure that other potential causes of intestinal infection are ruled out

    Exclusion Criteria

    Do NOT use A04.9 When
    No specific exclusions found.

    Related CPT Codes

    87070CPT Code

    Culture, bacterial, stool

    Clinical Scenario

    When a stool culture is performed to identify the causative organism.

    Documentation Requirements

    Document the reason for the culture and any relevant clinical findings.

    Specialty Considerations

    Gastroenterologists may perform additional tests based on clinical presentation.

    ICD-10 Impact

    Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

    Enhanced Specificity

    ICD-10 Improvements

    The introduction of ICD-10 allows for more specific coding, but the use of unspecified codes may lead to increased scrutiny during audits.

    ICD-9 vs ICD-10

    The introduction of ICD-10 allows for more specific coding, but the use of unspecified codes may lead to increased scrutiny during audits.

    Reimbursement & Billing Impact

    The introduction of ICD-10 allows for more specific coding, but the use of unspecified codes may lead to increased scrutiny during audits.

    Resources

    Clinical References

    • •
      ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

    Coding & Billing References

    • •
      ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When should I use A04.9?

    Use A04.9 when a bacterial intestinal infection is suspected but the specific pathogen has not been identified.

    What documentation is needed to support this code?

    Document the patient's symptoms, clinical findings, and any tests performed that support the diagnosis of an unspecified bacterial intestinal infection.