ICD-10 Guide

A54.29

Other gonococcal genitourinary infections

BILLABLE STATUSYes

IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015

LAST UPDATED09/05/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 A54.29 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of other gonococcal genitourinary infections.

Key Diagnostic Point:

A54.29 refers to other gonococcal genitourinary infections that are caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These infections primarily affect the urogenital tract, leading to conditions such as urethritis, cervicitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Symptoms may include dysuria, increased urinary frequency, abnormal discharge, and pelvic pain. Gonococcal infections are sexually transmitted and can lead to serious complications if left untreated, including infertility and increased susceptibility to HIV. Diagnosis is typically made through laboratory testing, including nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) or culture methods. Treatment usually involves antibiotics, with dual therapy recommended to combat potential antibiotic resistance. Contact tracing is crucial to prevent reinfection and further transmission, as partners of infected individuals should be tested and treated as necessary. Public health initiatives often focus on education, prevention, and screening to reduce the incidence of gonococcal infections.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

Variety of clinical presentations that may require specific documentation.
Need for accurate identification of the causative organism.
Potential for co-infection with other STIs, complicating diagnosis.
Variability in treatment protocols based on local guidelines and resistance patterns.

Audit Risk Factors

Inadequate documentation of symptoms and clinical findings.
Failure to document patient education and contact tracing efforts.
Misclassification of the type of gonococcal infection.
Inconsistent coding of co-infections with other STIs.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Infectious Disease

Documentation Requirements

Detailed clinical notes on symptoms, lab results, and treatment plans.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Management of complicated gonococcal infections and treatment-resistant cases.

Billing Considerations

Need for comprehensive patient history and potential referral to public health for contact tracing.

Urology

Documentation Requirements

Clear documentation of urinary symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment responses.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Evaluation of male patients with urethritis and potential complications.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of differential diagnoses such as non-gonococcal urethritis.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use A54.29 When

According to ICD
10 coding guidelines, A54
29 should be used when the specific type of gonococcal infection is not classified elsewhere
It is important to document the clinical findings and treatment provided

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use A54.29 When

Exclusion criteria include cases where the infection is specifically identified as urethritis or cervicitis

Related CPT Codes

87491CPT Code

Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for gonorrhea

Clinical Scenario

Used for diagnosing gonococcal infections.

Documentation Requirements

Document the reason for testing and results.

Specialty Considerations

Infectious disease specialists may require additional lab results.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of gonococcal infections, improving data accuracy and facilitating better tracking of public health trends.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of gonococcal infections, improving data accuracy and facilitating better tracking of public health trends.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of gonococcal infections, improving data accuracy and facilitating better tracking of public health trends.

Resources

Clinical References

•
CDC Gonorrhea Treatment Guidelines

Coding & Billing References

•
CDC Gonorrhea Treatment Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common symptoms of gonococcal infections?

Common symptoms include dysuria, abnormal discharge, and pelvic pain. However, some individuals may be asymptomatic.

How is gonorrhea treated?

Gonorrhea is typically treated with a dual therapy of antibiotics to combat resistance.

Why is contact tracing important?

Contact tracing helps prevent reinfection and further transmission of gonococcal infections.

ICD-10 A54.29 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of other gonococcal genitourinary infections.