ICD-10 Guide

A02.24

Salmonella osteomyelitis

BILLABLE STATUSYes

IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015

LAST UPDATED09/04/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 A02.24 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of salmonella osteomyelitis.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Salmonella osteomyelitis

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

# Analysis of ICD-10 Code A02.24 - Salmonella Osteomyelitis ## Complexity Rating **Medium** ## Factors Contributing to Complexity 1. **Specificity of Diagnosis**: - The code A02.24 specifically refers to osteomyelitis (bone infection) caused by Salmonella bacteria. This requires careful clinical documentation to confirm the causative organism and the type of infection, as osteomyelitis can arise from various pathogens. 2. **Clinical Presentation**: - Osteomyelitis can present with a variety of symptoms and may be acute or chronic. Accurate differentiation and documentation of the type of osteomyelitis are essential for correct coding. 3. **Comorbid Conditions**: - Patients with Salmonella osteomyelitis may have underlying health issues (e.g., immunocompromised states, diabetes) that complicate the clinical picture. The presence of comorbidities may necessitate additional coding and documentation efforts. 4. **Treatment Plans**: - The management of Salmonella osteomyelitis may involve multiple specialties (infectious disease, orthopedics, etc.), which can complicate the coding process. Ensuring that all aspects of treatment are captured accurately is essential for proper coding. 5. **Microbiological Confirmation**: - Documentation must include laboratory results indicating the presence of Salmonella, which can sometimes be challenging, as the bacteria may not always be easily isolated or identified in cultures. ## Audit Risks and Considerations 1. **Misdiagnosis**: - There is a risk of coding errors if the diagnosis is not clearly documented or if there is confusion regarding the pathogen. Misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment and billing discrepancies. 2. **Lack of Documentation**: - Incomplete or inadequate documentation of the clinical findings or laboratory results can lead to denials or audits. Coders must ensure that all information supporting the diagnosis is present in the medical record. 3. **Inconsistent Coding**: - Variation in how osteomyelitis due to specific pathogens is coded across different providers can create inconsistencies. This necessitates standardization in documentation practices to mitigate audit risks. 4. **Compliance with Guidelines**: - It is imperative to adhere to coding guidelines and payer-specific rules. Failure to comply with these can result in financial penalties and increased scrutiny during audits. ## Documentation Requirements 1. **Clinical Diagnosis**: - Clear documentation by the healthcare provider indicating the diagnosis of Salmonella osteomyelitis and its clinical manifestations. 2. **Microbiological Evidence**: - Laboratory results confirming the presence of Salmonella in cultures or other diagnostic tests (e.g., blood tests, imaging studies that support the diagnosis). 3. **History and Physical Examination**: - Detailed history and examination notes that include symptoms, duration of illness, and any prior treatments. 4. **Treatment Plan**: - A comprehensive treatment plan that outlines the management of the osteomyelitis, including any surgical interventions, antibiotic therapy, and follow-up care. 5. **Comorbidities**: - Documentation of any relevant comorbid conditions that may affect treatment decisions or outcomes, as they may also need to be coded alongside A02.24. By ensuring thorough documentation and adherence to coding guidelines, the complexities associated with ICD-10 code A02.24 can be effectively managed, reducing the risk of audits and ensuring accurate billing.

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 A02.24 When

Comprehensive Coding Guidelines for ICD
10 Code A02
Salmonella Osteomyelitis
10 code A02
24 designates "Salmonella osteomyelitis," a condition characterized by an infection of the bone caused by Salmonella bacteria
Accurate coding for this condition is critical for appropriate treatment, reimbursement, and statistical tracking
When to Use This Code vs
Related Codes

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use A02.24 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 infections were categorized under a more generalized code (such as 003.0 for Salmonella infections). The coding was less specific, which made it difficult to capture the nuances of infections like osteomyelitis.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The implementation of ICD-10 in October 2015 brought about significant changes in the coding of various diseases, including code A02.24 for Salmonella osteomyelitis. Below is a comprehensive description of the impact of this transition, focusing on the aspects you requested. Changes from ICD-9 to ICD-10 1. Code Structure: - In ICD-9, Salmonella infections were categorized under a more generalized code (such as 003.0 for Salmonella infections). The coding was less specific, which made it difficult to capture the nuances of infections like osteomyelitis. - ICD-10 introduced A02.24 specifically for Salmonella osteomyelitis, allowing for a more precise identification of the condition. 2. Granularity: - ICD-9 had limited granularity, while ICD-10 allows for a more detailed classification of Salmonella infections, including the specific site of infection and the type of osteomyelitis. Specificity Improvements - Enhanced Detail: Code A02.24 provides a specific designation for osteomyelitis caused by Salmonella, which is crucial for accurately...

A02.24

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

A02.24

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