ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

ICD-10 Guide

Tick Bite Unspecified Site

ICD-10 Coding for Tick Bite Unspecified Site(S60.96XA, W57.XXXA)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYGeneral Practice

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Tick Bite Unspecified Site?

Essential facts and insights about Tick Bite Unspecified Site

Key Clinical Considerations:

Erythema migrans or localized rash at the bite site
Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and fatigue
History of tick exposure

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Patient history of tick exposure and symptoms
Physical examination findings related to the bite
Use of specific terminology such as 'tick bite' and 'unspecified site'

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Usage guidelines: Use the specific code for the site if known.
Common errors: Misclassifying the bite as venomous or failing to document exposure.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Lyme disease (A69.20)
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (A77.0)

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

General Practice

Specialty Applications

General population at risk for tick exposure
Primary care settings, urgent care facilities

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

Comprehensive clinical documentation
Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
Proper exclusion considerations
Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Ensure proper documentation for billing
Verify code specificity requirements
Check for any additional codes needed
Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

Insufficient clinical documentation
Incorrect code selection
Missing supporting diagnoses
Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Document the site of the bite, symptoms, and any treatment provided.

Billing considerations?

Ensure proper coding to reflect the encounter type and any associated symptoms.