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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesB78

B78

B78: Strongyloidiasis

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

Code Description

ICD-10 B78 is a used to indicate a diagnosis of b78: strongyloidiasis.

Key Diagnostic Point:

B78 refers to Strongyloidiasis, a parasitic infection caused by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis. This helminth can lead to a range of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic colonization to severe gastrointestinal and systemic disease, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. The infection is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, and its clinical significance lies in the potential for chronic infection and the risk of hyperinfection syndrome, which can be life-threatening. Proper identification and management of this condition are crucial for patient outcomes, as untreated strongyloidiasis can lead to serious complications, including sepsis and disseminated disease.

  • The B78 code is utilized in various healthcare settings, including primary care, infectious disease specialties, and emergency medicine. It is essential for clinicians to recognize the symptoms associated with strongyloidiasis, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and respiratory issues, and to consider this diagnosis in patients with relevant travel history or immunosuppression. Accurate coding using B78 ensures appropriate treatment and management strategies are implemented, facilitating better healthcare delivery and tracking of disease prevalence in populations at risk.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in clinical presentation
  • Need for differential diagnosis
  • Potential for severe complications

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of symptoms
  • Misdiagnosis due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions
  • Failure to report travel history or immunocompromised status

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Infectious Disease

Documentation Requirements

Standard ICD-10-CM documentation requirements apply

Common Clinical Scenarios

Various clinical presentations within this specialty area

Billing Considerations

Follow specialty-specific billing guidelines

Primary Care

Documentation Requirements

Standard ICD-10-CM documentation requirements apply

Common Clinical Scenarios

Various clinical presentations within this specialty area

Billing Considerations

Follow specialty-specific billing guidelines

Related Codes

Child Codes

4 codes
B78.0
Toxoplasmosis due to congenital infection
B78.1
Babesiosis
B78.7
Babesiosis
B78.9
Parasitic disease, unspecified

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The clinical impact of the B78 code is significant, as it helps in identifying and managing strongyloidiasis, which can lead to severe health complications if left untreated. By accurately coding this condition, healthcare providers can contribute to better tracking of disease prevalence and outcomes, which is essential for public health initiatives aimed at controlling parasitic infections. Furthermore, awareness of strongyloidiasis can improve patient education and preventive measures, particularly in at-risk populations.
Administratively, the use of B78 can influence quality measures and population health metrics, as effective management of strongyloidiasis can reduce hospitalizations and improve overall health outcomes. As healthcare systems increasingly focus on value-based care, understanding the implications of this code can help providers align their practices with broader healthcare trends, ensuring that they meet quality benchmarks and improve patient care.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The clinical impact of the B78 code is significant, as it helps in identifying and managing strongyloidiasis, which can lead to severe health complications if left untreated. By accurately coding this condition, healthcare providers can contribute to better tracking of disease prevalence and outcomes, which is essential for public health initiatives aimed at controlling parasitic infections. Furthermore, awareness of strongyloidiasis can improve patient education and preventive measures, particularly in at-risk populations. Administratively, the use of B78 can influence quality measures and population health metrics, as effective management of strongyloidiasis can reduce hospitalizations and improve overall health outcomes. As healthcare systems increasingly focus on value-based care, understanding the implications of this code can help providers align their practices with broader healthcare trends, ensuring that they meet quality benchmarks and improve patient care.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

Reimbursement may depend on the documentation of the diagnosis and the clinical necessity of the services rendered. Providers should ensure that all relevant clinical information is included in the billing documentation to support the use of B78. This may involve detailed notes on patient history, symptoms, and laboratory results to justify the medical necessity of the services.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    Official ICD-10 Guidelines for B78

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    Official ICD-10 Guidelines for B78

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions are included in B78?

B78 specifically includes strongyloidiasis caused by Strongyloides stercoralis, which can manifest as asymptomatic infection, gastrointestinal symptoms, or severe systemic disease, especially in immunocompromised patients.

When should I use B78 codes?

B78 should be used when a patient is diagnosed with strongyloidiasis, particularly when there is evidence of infection or symptoms consistent with this condition, especially in patients with relevant risk factors.

What documentation is required for B78?

Documentation should include clinical findings, patient history (including travel and exposure risks), laboratory test results confirming the presence of Strongyloides stercoralis, and any relevant symptoms or complications.