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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesA69

A69

Other specified spirochetal infections.

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/05/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 A69 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of other specified spirochetal infections..

Key Diagnostic Point:

Spirochetal infections are caused by a group of bacteria known as spirochetes, which are characterized by their spiral shape and unique motility. This category includes infections caused by various species of spirochetes that do not fall under more specific classifications such as Lyme disease (A69.2) or syphilis (A50-A54). Commonly associated spirochetal infections include relapsing fever, leptospirosis, and others that may not be as widely recognized. Geographic distribution of these infections varies significantly; for instance, leptospirosis is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and flooding. Relapsing fever is often found in regions with high rodent populations, while other spirochetal diseases may be endemic in specific rural areas. Accurate diagnosis often requires serological testing and clinical correlation, as symptoms can be nonspecific and overlap with other infectious diseases. Understanding the epidemiology and clinical presentation of these infections is crucial for effective management and coding.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of spirochetal infections included under this code.
  • Need for precise clinical documentation to differentiate from other infections.
  • Potential for overlapping symptoms with other infectious diseases.
  • Geographic variations in prevalence affecting diagnosis.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the specific spirochetal infection.
  • Failure to provide laboratory confirmation.
  • Misclassification of symptoms leading to incorrect coding.
  • Inconsistent use of terminology in clinical notes.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Infectious Disease

Documentation Requirements

Detailed clinical history, laboratory results, and exposure history.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with fever, rash, or other systemic symptoms after travel to endemic areas.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all relevant laboratory tests are documented to support the diagnosis.

Primary Care

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive patient history and symptom description.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with unexplained febrile illness or recent travel history.

Billing Considerations

Consider referral to infectious disease specialists for complex cases.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use A69 When
  • Follow official ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, ensuring accurate documentation of the specific spirochetal infection
  • Include any relevant laboratory findings and clinical symptoms to support the diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use A69 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related Codes

Child Codes

10 codes
A69.0
Lyme disease
A69.1
Other specified spirochetal infections, early disseminated.
A69.2
Other neurosyphilis
A69.20
Lyme disease, unspecified
A69.21
Meningitis due to Lyme disease
A69.22
Other neurologic disorders in Lyme disease
A69.23
Arthritis due to Lyme disease
A69.29
Other conditions associated with Lyme disease
A69.8
Other specified infections not elsewhere classified
A69.9
Lyme disease, unspecified

Related CPT Codes

87491CPT Code

Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); spirochete.

Clinical Scenario

Used when testing for specific spirochetal infections.

Documentation Requirements

Document the reason for testing and the specific symptoms.

Specialty Considerations

Infectious disease specialists should ensure comprehensive testing.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of spirochetal infections, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of spirochetal infections, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    CDC Spirochetal Infections Overview

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    CDC Spirochetal Infections Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common symptoms of spirochetal infections?

Common symptoms include fever, rash, myalgia, and in some cases, more severe systemic manifestations depending on the specific infection.

How can spirochetal infections be diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves clinical evaluation, serological testing, and sometimes PCR testing to confirm the presence of spirochetes.