ICD-10 Guide

R50.82

Postprocedural fever

BILLABLE STATUSYes

IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015

LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 R50.82 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of postprocedural fever.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Postprocedural fever is defined as an elevation in body temperature that occurs following a surgical or invasive procedure. This fever can arise from various causes, including inflammatory responses to surgical trauma, infections, or complications related to the procedure itself. Typically, a fever is considered postprocedural if it occurs within 48 hours after surgery, although it can manifest later depending on the underlying cause. Common symptoms accompanying postprocedural fever may include chills, sweating, and malaise. Clinicians must differentiate between benign postoperative fever, which may be due to the body's natural response to surgery, and fever indicating a more serious condition such as an infection or abscess. Diagnostic approaches often involve a thorough clinical evaluation, including a review of the patient's surgical history, physical examination, and potentially laboratory tests such as blood cultures or imaging studies to identify any underlying infections. Understanding the timing and characteristics of the fever is crucial for appropriate management and coding.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

Differentiating between benign and pathological causes of fever.
Timing of fever onset relative to the procedure.
Need for thorough documentation of surgical history and symptoms.
Potential for overlapping symptoms with other conditions.

Audit Risk Factors

Inadequate documentation of the surgical procedure and timing of fever onset.
Failure to specify the cause of fever if known.
Misclassification of fever as postprocedural without clear evidence.
Lack of follow-up documentation regarding the resolution of fever.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed notes on patient history, surgical details, and fever characteristics.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with fever after elective surgeries such as cholecystectomy or orthopedic procedures.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of underlying comorbidities that may affect fever response.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care notes including vital signs, fever onset, and associated symptoms.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting to the emergency department with fever shortly after surgery.

Billing Considerations

Rapid assessment to rule out serious complications such as sepsis.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R50.82 When

According to ICD
10 coding guidelines, R50
82 should be used when the fever is directly related to a surgical procedure and not attributable to other causes
Documentation must clearly link the fever to the procedure

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R50.82 When

No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

99213CPT Code

Established patient office visit, Level 3

Clinical Scenario

Used when evaluating a patient with postprocedural fever in an outpatient setting.

Documentation Requirements

Document the patient's history, examination findings, and any diagnostic tests performed.

Specialty Considerations

Internal medicine providers should ensure comprehensive documentation of the surgical history.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of postprocedural complications, including fever, which enhances the ability to track and manage postoperative outcomes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of postprocedural complications, including fever, which enhances the ability to track and manage postoperative outcomes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of postprocedural complications, including fever, which enhances the ability to track and manage postoperative outcomes.

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 R50.82 be used?

R50.82 should be used when a patient develops a fever following a surgical procedure, and the fever is not attributable to other causes.

ICD-10 R50.82 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of postprocedural fever.