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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesA74

A74

ICD-10 code A74 title: Rocky Mountain spotted fever

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/05/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 A74 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of icd-10 code a74 title: rocky mountain spotted fever.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. It is characterized by fever, headache, and a distinctive rash that typically appears 2-5 days after the onset of fever. The rash often starts as small, flat, pink spots that can progress to petechiae and purpura. RMSF is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected ticks, particularly the American dog tick and the Rocky Mountain wood tick. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, as the disease can lead to severe complications, including organ failure and death if left untreated. Diagnosis is often based on clinical presentation and history of tick exposure, with serological tests available to confirm the infection. Treatment typically involves the use of doxycycline, which is effective if administered early in the course of the disease. The condition is more prevalent in certain geographic areas, particularly in the southeastern and south-central United States, and is more common during the warmer months when ticks are active.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Differentiating RMSF from other febrile illnesses
  • Need for accurate documentation of tick exposure
  • Variability in clinical presentation among patients
  • Potential for severe complications requiring detailed coding

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of tick exposure
  • Failure to document the onset and progression of symptoms
  • Misdiagnosis due to similarity with other conditions
  • Lack of supporting lab results for diagnosis

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Infectious Disease

Documentation Requirements

Detailed patient history including travel and exposure history, lab results, and treatment response.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with fever, rash, and history of tick exposure.

Billing Considerations

Ensure all symptoms and lab results are documented to support the diagnosis.

Primary Care

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive documentation of symptoms, history of exposure, and any differential diagnoses considered.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with febrile illness and potential tick exposure.

Billing Considerations

Timely referral to specialists if RMSF is suspected.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use A74 When
  • Follow official coding guidelines for infectious diseases, ensuring accurate documentation of symptoms, exposure history, and lab results
  • Include any complications in coding

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use A74 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related Codes

Child Codes

5 codes
A74.0
A74.0: Scrub typhus
A74.8
Other specified bacterial intestinal infections
A74.81
Chlamydial peritonitis
A74.89
Other chlamydial diseases
A74.9
Dengue fever, unspecified

Related CPT Codes

87470CPT Code

Rickettsial serology

Clinical Scenario

Used to confirm diagnosis of RMSF.

Documentation Requirements

Document the reason for testing and results.

Specialty Considerations

Infectious disease specialists should ensure comprehensive lab documentation.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of RMSF, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of RMSF, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    CDC Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Information

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    CDC Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever?

Common symptoms include fever, headache, rash, and muscle pain, typically appearing 2-5 days after a tick bite.