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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR65

R65

Symptoms and signs specifically associated with systemic inflammation and infection

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 R65 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of symptoms and signs specifically associated with systemic inflammation and infection.

Key Diagnostic Point:

ICD-10 code R65 encompasses a range of symptoms and signs indicative of systemic inflammation and infection. This code is utilized when patients present with non-specific symptoms that suggest an underlying inflammatory or infectious process but do not fit neatly into other diagnostic categories. Common manifestations include fever, malaise, fatigue, and elevated inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The clinical context often involves conditions like sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), or other infectious diseases. Accurate coding requires thorough documentation of clinical findings, laboratory results, and the patient's overall clinical picture to justify the use of this code. It is essential to differentiate between systemic inflammation due to infection and other causes, as this can significantly impact treatment and management strategies.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Non-specific nature of symptoms
  • Need for comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Differentiation from other inflammatory conditions
  • Potential overlap with other ICD codes

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of clinical findings
  • Failure to specify the underlying cause of inflammation
  • Misuse of R65 when a more specific diagnosis exists
  • Lack of correlation between symptoms and laboratory findings

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed history and physical examination notes, including vital signs and lab results indicating systemic inflammation.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with fever, elevated white blood cell count, and nonspecific symptoms suggestive of infection.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all relevant lab results and clinical findings are documented to support the use of R65.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care documentation must include time-sensitive assessments, vital signs, and immediate lab results.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with acute febrile illness, altered mental status, or signs of sepsis.

Billing Considerations

Rapid assessment and documentation are crucial; ensure that all findings are clearly linked to the diagnosis.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R65 When
  • Follow the official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that R65 is used only when no more specific diagnosis is available
  • Document the clinical rationale for using this code, including any relevant lab findings and symptoms

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R65 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related Codes

Child Codes

6 codes
R65.1
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) of non-infectious origin
R65.10
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) of non-infectious origin without acute organ dysfunction
R65.11
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) of non-infectious origin with acute organ dysfunction
R65.2
Severe sepsis
R65.20
Severe sepsis without septic shock
R65.21
Severe sepsis with septic shock

Related CPT Codes

99285CPT Code

Emergency department visit, high severity

Clinical Scenario

Used when a patient presents with systemic inflammatory symptoms requiring immediate attention.

Documentation Requirements

Document the severity of symptoms, vital signs, and any immediate interventions.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine providers should ensure that the clinical picture justifies the level of service billed.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of systemic inflammatory conditions, improving the granularity of data for epidemiological studies and healthcare management.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of systemic inflammatory conditions, improving the granularity of data for epidemiological studies and healthcare management.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of systemic inflammatory conditions, improving the granularity of data for epidemiological studies and healthcare management.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

When should R65 be used?

R65 should be used when a patient presents with symptoms of systemic inflammation without a more specific diagnosis. It is essential to document the clinical findings and any relevant lab results.