ICD-10 Guide

A32

Non-billable

Tularemia

Chapter 1:Certain infectious and parasitic diseases

BILLABLE STATUSNo

IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015

LAST UPDATED08/28/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 A32 is a used to indicate a diagnosis of tularemia.

Key Diagnostic Point:

This code is for Listeriosis, an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It can lead to symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: High

High Complexity

Complexity Rating: Medium to High The complexity rating of ICD-10 code A32 (Listeriosis), a non-billable code, is medium to high due to several factors. Typically, the complexity increases when the disease category becomes broader, contains subcategories or requires additional codes to provide a complete diagnosis. ICD-10 code A32 does contain several subcategories like A32.0 (Cutaneous listeriosis), A32.1 (Listeriosis of central nervous system), and others which increases its complexity. Factors: 1. Non-billable code: Being a non-billable code, A32 can’t be used for reimbursement purposes. This requires a higher level of specificity and increased awareness from the coders to ensure that they use the correct additional codes that would allow them to bill for the services. 2. Broad Spectrum: Listeriosis can be identified in different forms which makes this code very broad. Therefore, the coders need to determine the accurate form in order to select the specific ICD-10 code. 3. Additional Codes: A32 is a non-billable code and cannot be used to indicate a diagnosis for a reimbursement claim. Coders need to use an additional code from one of the A32 subcategories to indicate the specific form of listeriosis in the patient. Audit Risks: 1. Incorrect Coding: Due to the existence of several subcategories under A32, there is a risk of incorrect coding if the medical coder doesn't have a complete understanding of the disease and its various forms. 2. Non-billable Errors: As A32 is a non-billable code, it could be a cause for claims denial if it is not correctly paired with an additional specific code. This could result in reimbursement issues. 3. Documentation: Insufficient or unclear documentation can risk misinterpretation of the patient’s condition, leading to inaccurate coding. This could potentially risk compliance with regulatory requirements or result in audits. 4. Compliance: Non-compliance with surgical coding guidelines and regulations can result in penalties or loss of revenue.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

The ICD-10 code A32 is for Listeriosis, a serious infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, usually caused by eating food contaminated with it. This code is not specifically assigned to any medical specialty as it can be used by multiple specialties based on the clinical scenario. However, three specialties that may often encounter it include: 1. Infectious Disease Specialists: They are expert in diagnosing and managing infections, including those caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. They often get consulted when an infection is difficult to diagnose, is accompanied by high fever, or does not respond to treatment. Clinical Scenario: A patient comes in presenting with fever, muscle aches, confusion and symptoms of meningitis. Lab results confirm the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the patient's cerebrospinal fluid. ICD-10 code A32 can be used to document this diagnosis. 2. Gastroenterologists: This specialty deals with diseases of the digestive system, which includes the gastrointestinal tract where Listeria bacteria can cause infection. Clinical Scenario: A patient presents with symptoms of gastroenteritis, including severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. She has a history of consuming soft cheeses. Stool culture confirms a Listeria infection. The gastroenterologist can use ICD-10 code A32 to document this Listeria gastroenteritis. 3. Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OB/GYN): Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to listeriosis, and it can have severe effects on the fetus or newborn. OB/GYNs might diagnose and treat a pregnant patient with listeriosis. Clinical Scenario: A pregnant woman comes to her routine prenatal visit and complains of fever and a strange, sudden onset of confusion. After some tests, they discover she's contracted Listeria. ICD-10 code A32 is used to document the Listeria infection. Please note that the code A32 is a non-billable code. To code a diagnosis of this condition, you will need to use one of the seven child codes of A32 that describes the diagnosis 'listeriosis' in more detail.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use A32 When

10 code A32, Listeriosis, is a broad category code and is non
billable
It serves as a header for the more specific Listeriosis subcodes, which range from A32
0 to A32
These more specific codes are utilized for billing purposes
However, here are the official coding guidelines for coding diseases in general according to the ICD
CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting:
Code Assignment and Clinical Criteria:

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use A32 When

No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

A32 is an ICD-10 code that is classified as non-billable and is typically related to Listeriosis, a bacterial infection. The related CPT procedure codes for Listeriosis treatment might include the following: 1. CPT Code 99232: Subsequent hospital care: For patients battling Listeriosis, they would require recurring hospital care to monitor their response to treatment and the development of any complications. 2. CPT Code 99291: Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient: In severe cases of Listeriosis, the patient's condition might deteriorate, requiring critical care. 3. CPT Code 87260: Antibody; Listeria species: This code is used when the medical professional performs tests to identify Listeria antibodies for the diagnosis of Listeriosis. 4. CPT Code 76942: Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement for Listeria localization: Used when a doctor uses ultrasound to guide needle placement for precise delivery of antibiotics to combat the infection. 5. CPT Code 99477: Initial hospital care, per day, for the evaluation and management of the neonate, birth through 28 days of age, which includes attendance at delivery (when requested), and initial stabilization of the neonate in critical condition: Used in cases where Listeriosis has been passed to a neonate from an infected mother causing critical condition. 6. CPT Code 88304: Lever Biopsy for suspected Listeriosis: A liver biopsy may be required to help confirm diagnosis in certain cases.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

When it comes to coding for A32 (Listeriosis), the term “Non-billable” means that the code is not sufficient justification for admission to an acute care hospital when used as a principal diagnosis. Use of a non-billable code would not be allowed for reimbursement purposes as a principal or first-listed diagnosis.

With the ICD-10 update, specificity has increased considerably. For instance, where there used to be a single code to describe a specific condition, now there could be several codes that detail the type and severity of the condition, the affected body part, and any associated complications.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

ICD-10 stands for the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, which is a comprehensive system of classifying and coding diseases, signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, and external causes of injury or disease. Every healthcare-related procedure and diagnosis has a corresponding ICD-10 code. When it comes to coding for A32 (Listeriosis), the term “Non-billable” means that the code is not sufficient justification for admission to an acute care hospital when used as a principal diagnosis. Use of a non-billable code would not be allowed for reimbursement purposes as a principal or first-listed diagnosis. With the ICD-10 update, specificity has increased considerably. For instance, where there used to be a single code to describe a specific condition, now there could be several codes that detail the type and severity of the condition, the affected body part, and any associated complications. Documentation would also need to be more explicit and precise. Under ICD-10,...

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement purposes as a principal or first-listed diagnosis.

Resources

Clinical References

No clinical reference resources available for this code.

Coding & Billing References

No coding and billing reference resources available for this code.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: What is ICD-10 Code A32 (Non-billable)? A: The ICD-10 Code A32 is a non-billable code that delineates to Listeriosis, a severe infection caused by consuming food contaminated with bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. 2. Q: Can the ICD-10 Code A32 be used for reimbursement purposes? A: No, the ICD-10 Code A32 is not billable and can't be used for reimbursement purposes. It is meant to be used as a placeholder until a more specific code can be installed. 3. Q: If ICD-10 Code A32 is non-billable, how do we bill for Listeriosis cases? A: While the code A32 itself is non-billable, there are several specific sub-codes under A32 that can be used for billing purposes. For example, code A32.0 for Cutaneous listeriosis or A32.7 for Listeriosis of the nervous system, which are billable. 4. Q: When should the ICD-10 Code A32 be used? A: The ICD-10 Code A32 is used when Listeriosis is diagnosed but there is not enough clinical information to determine a more specific code. It acts as a placeholder until more specific information or results are available. 5. Q: What documentation is needed for code A32? A: As with all diagnoses, it is important to document the patient's medical history, physical examination findings, diagnostic test results, and treatment plans. For Listeriosis, document the outbreak source if identified, and the sites of infection as Listeriosis can affect various body areas. 6. Q: What are some codes related to ICD-10 Code A32? A: Some related codes include A32.0 (Cutaneous listeriosis), A32.1 (Listerial meningitis and meningoencephalitis), A32.2 (Listerial septicemia), A32.7 (Listeriosis of nervous system, unspecified), and A32.8 (Other forms of listeriosis). 7. Q: Will the use of ICD-10 Code A32 vary between outpatient and inpatient settings? A: The use of ICD-10 Code A32 would depend more on the specifics of the clinical documentation rather than the setting. In both cases, this non-billable code can act as a placeholder until a more specific diagnosis can be made.