ICD-10 Guide

A02.2

Salmonella enterocolitis

BILLABLE STATUSNo

IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015

LAST UPDATED09/04/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 A02.2 is a used to indicate a diagnosis of salmonella enterocolitis.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Salmonella enterocolitis

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

# Analysis of ICD-10 Code A02.2 - Salmonella Enterocolitis ## Complexity Rating **Medium** ## Factors Contributing to Complexity 1. **Pathophysiology Understanding**: - Salmonella enterocolitis involves infection and inflammation of the intestinal lining due to Salmonella bacteria. Understanding the clinical manifestations, such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, is crucial for accurate diagnosis. 2. **Differential Diagnosis**: - Clinicians must distinguish Salmonella enterocolitis from other forms of gastroenteritis, such as viral infections or other bacterial causes, which requires a thorough clinical assessment and possibly laboratory testing. 3. **Severity and Complications**: - The severity of the infection can range from mild to severe, with potential complications such as dehydration or septicemia. Documentation must reflect the patient's condition accurately. 4. **Epidemiology and Risk Factors**: - The complexity increases with considerations of risk factors (e.g., contaminated food or water, immunocompromised status) and the epidemiological context (outbreaks). 5. **Treatment Variability**: - Treatment may vary based on the severity of the infection, with some cases requiring hospitalization and intravenous fluids, while others may be managed outpatient with oral rehydration. ## Audit Risks and Considerations 1. **Misdiagnosis**: - Incorrectly coding the condition as a different type of gastroenteritis could lead to inappropriate reimbursement and potential audit flags. 2. **Incomplete Documentation**: - Insufficient details about the patient's symptoms, clinical findings, or treatment can lead to a lack of support for the code A02.2, increasing audit risk. 3. **Code Assignment Errors**: - Coders must ensure that they are using the most specific code available. For instance, coding A02.2 without noting whether it is caused by a specific strain of Salmonella may lead to misclassification. 4. **Clinical Guidelines Compliance**: - Adherence to clinical guidelines for diagnosing and treating Salmonella enterocolitis is essential to minimize audit risks. Non-compliance can trigger audits or denials from payers. ## Documentation Requirements 1. **Clinical History**: - A comprehensive history that includes symptoms (e.g., onset, duration, characteristics of diarrhea), any prior episodes, and relevant medical history (e.g., recent travel, consumption of suspect foods). 2. **Physical Examination**: - Document findings from the physical examination, including vital signs and any signs of dehydration or systemic involvement. 3. **Diagnostic Tests**: - Results from laboratory tests, including stool cultures or PCR testing for Salmonella, must be included to substantiate the diagnosis. 4. **Treatment Plan**: - Documentation should include the treatment approach (e.g., hydration status, use of antibiotics, dietary modifications) and any follow-up plans. 5. **Outcome and Follow-Up**: - Any outcomes, including resolution of symptoms or complications, should be documented, along with any follow-up appointments or referrals. By addressing the factors contributing to the complexity of ICD-10 code A02.2 and adhering to comprehensive documentation requirements, healthcare providers can mitigate audit risks and ensure accurate coding for Salmonella enterocolitis cases.

Audit Risk Factors

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

General

Documentation Requirements

Standard requirements apply

Common Clinical Scenarios

Various clinical presentations

Billing Considerations

Follow standard billing guidelines

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use A02.2 When

Comprehensive Coding Guidelines for ICD
10 Code A02
Salmonella Enterocolitis
When to Use This Code vs
Related Codes:
10 Code A02
2 is specifically designated for Salmonella enterocolitis, which is an infection of the intestines caused by Salmonella bacteria, leading to diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and vomiting
Use A02

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use A02.2 When

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:

Related CPT Codes

No CPT Codes Available

Related CPT codes for this diagnosis will be displayed here when available.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

Changes from ICD-9 to ICD-10

- In ICD-9, Salmonella enterocolitis was classified under a more general code (003.0 for Salmonella enteritis). The ICD-10 code A02.2 specifically identifies Salmonella enterocolitis, providing a more precise classification of the condition.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The implementation of ICD-10 brought significant changes to the coding of various diseases, including Salmonella enterocolitis, represented by code A02.2 in ICD-10. Below, we will discuss the changes from ICD-9 to ICD-10, specificity improvements, reimbursement implications, documentation requirement changes, and provider workflow impacts. Changes from ICD-9 to ICD-10 1. Code Structure: - In ICD-9, Salmonella enterocolitis was classified under a more general code (003.0 for Salmonella enteritis). The ICD-10 code A02.2 specifically identifies Salmonella enterocolitis, providing a more precise classification of the condition. 2. Expanded Classification: - ICD-10 has a more detailed and nuanced coding structure compared to ICD-9, which allows for better differentiation between types of Salmonella infections (e.g., A02.0 for Salmonella enteritis, A02.1 for Salmonella septicemia). Specificity Improvements - Increased Detail: - ICD-10 provides greater specificity not only in identifying Salmonella enterocolitis but also in capturing whether it is uncomplicated or complicated. This level of detail enables healthcare...

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement implications, documentation requirement changes, and provider workflow impacts.

A02.2

Code Description

Key Diagnostic Point:

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Complexity Factors

Audit Risk Factors

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

General

Documentation Requirements

Common Clinical Scenarios

Billing Considerations

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Related CPT Codes

No CPT Codes Available

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

ICD-10 Improvements

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

Resources

Clinical References

Coding & Billing References

Frequently Asked Questions

A02.2

Code Description

Key Diagnostic Point:

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Complexity Factors

Audit Risk Factors

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

General

Documentation Requirements

Common Clinical Scenarios

Billing Considerations

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Related CPT Codes

No CPT Codes Available

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

ICD-10 Improvements

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

Resources

Clinical References

Coding & Billing References

Frequently Asked Questions