A02.23 ICD-10-CM Code: Salmonella arthritis
A02.23 maps to CMS-HCC V28 92. A source-labeled RAF reference is available. Confirm the documented diagnosis and applicable coding requirements. MEAT criteria · RAF Calculator · HCC coding software
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FY 2026 Apr update / Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99) / Intestinal infectious diseases (A00-A09)
A02.23
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceSalmonella arthritis
This is a joint infection caused by Salmonella bacteria, which can cause inflammation, pain, and swelling in one or more joints. It typically develops as a complication of Salmonella food poisoning or other Salmonella infections in the body.
Buddy Insight
Salmonella arthritis represents direct joint infection by non-typhi Salmonella organisms, a condition particularly associated with sickle cell disease and immunocompromised states.
CMS-HCC V28
MappedHCC 92
Coefficient HCC 92: 0.479 (Community Non-Dual Aged (CNA))
CMS-HCC V24
HistoricalHistorical
Not used for CY2026 payment
ACA/HHS
MappedHCC 055
Code-level coefficient reference
ESRD/PACE
MappedHCC 39
Code-level coefficient reference
RXHCC
N/A—
Not mapped
Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
OfficialNo inclusion terms are included in this display for A02.23. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Excludes 2
Official- carrier or suspected carrier of infectious disease (Z22.-)Inherited from A00-B99
- infectious and parasitic diseases complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O98.-)Inherited from A00-B99
- infectious and parasitic diseases specific to the perinatal period (P35-P39)Inherited from A00-B99
- influenza and other acute respiratory infections (J00-J22)Inherited from A00-B99
Related Codes
Includes
Official- diseases generally recognized as communicable or transmissibleInherited from A00-B99, A02
- infection or foodborne intoxication due to any Salmonella species other than S. typhi and S. paratyphiInherited from A00-B99, A02
Excludes 1
Official- certain localized infections - see body system-related chaptersInherited from A00-B99
Code First
OfficialNo Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for A02.23. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Use Additional
Official- code to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16.-)Inherited from A00-B99
Code Also
OfficialNo Code Also instructions are included in this display for A02.23. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Buddy Documentation Tip
MEAT Support
Audit Caution
Common Mistakes
Current with CMS: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr 1 update (effective Apr 1 – Sep 30, 2026) · CMS-HCC V28, 100% phased in for payment year 2026. FY2027 code set already staged for October 1, 2026. How HCC Buddy stays current →
Is A02.23 an HCC code?
Yes. A02.23 (Salmonella arthritis) maps to HCC 92, Bone/Joint/Muscle/Severe Soft Tissue Infections/Necrosis under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model, with a source-labeled community non-dual aged reference coefficient of 0.479. Source-labeled code-level coefficients are references, not member totals. Actual contribution depends on complete member context, hierarchy and cleanup rules, interactions, and model year. HCC Buddy's RAF Calculator supports CMS-HCC V28 PY2026 and shows no score unless every required source and calculation check passes. It is billable for payment year 2026.
Coder answer: A02.23 is billable and maps to V28 HCC 92, Bone/Joint/Muscle/Severe Soft Tissue Infections/Necrosis. Open it in the Code Book for the tabular path, RAF, and MEAT checklist.
- Code
- A02.23
- Description
- Salmonella arthritis
- HCC (V28)
- HCC 92 — Bone/Joint/Muscle/Severe Soft Tissue Infections/Necrosis
- RAF reference coefficient
- 0.479
- Billable
- Yes
- Payment year
- 2026
HCC Category Mapping
These are source-labeled model coefficients, not member totals. A category may still be removed by hierarchy or model cleanup rules. Weights are not directly comparable across models: CMS-HCC V28 and V24 use Community, Non-Dual, Aged; ESRD uses the dialysis continuing-enrollee model; RxHCC is the Part D continuing-enrollee, non-low-income, aged weight (a larger scale than CMS-HCC). ACA/HHS has no single weight — it varies by metal level. Actual per-patient RAF contribution depends on member context, hierarchy and cleanup rules, interactions, and the model year used by the payer. V28 is the CMS-HCC model phased in over payment years 2024–2026; V24 remains available for historical review.
Work A02.23 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF reference, and MEAT checklist →
MEAT review for A02.23
For A02.23, confirm that the documentation supports the diagnosis and meets the applicable coding, encounter, program and payer requirements. MEAT (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) is a review mnemonic, not a universal CMS coding rule.
- MMonitor: signs, symptoms, disease progression, or lab trending documented in the note
- EEvaluate: test results, medication response, or physical findings reviewed by the provider
- AAssess: explicit mention in the assessment or plan with acknowledgment of status
- TTreat: medication, referral, procedure, therapy, or counseling tied to the diagnosis
Coder workflow notes
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What This Code Means
A02.23 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for salmonella arthritis. This is a joint infection caused by Salmonella bacteria, which can cause inflammation, pain, and swelling in one or more joints. It typically develops as a complication of Salmonella food poisoning or other Salmonella infections in the body. A02.23 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for certain infectious and parasitic diseases (a00-b99), within the section covering intestinal infectious diseases (a00-a09).
Under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model, A02.23 maps to Bone/Joint/Muscle/Severe Soft Tissue Infections/Necrosis (HCC 92) with a source-labeled community, non-dual, aged reference coefficient of 0.479. For CY2026 non-PACE Medicare Advantage, CMS uses 100% of the 2024 CMS-HCC model (V28). PACE uses a separate model blend. Source-labeled code-level coefficients are references, not member totals. Actual contribution depends on complete member context, hierarchy and cleanup rules, interactions, and model year. HCC Buddy's RAF Calculator supports CMS-HCC V28 PY2026 and shows no score unless every required source and calculation check passes.
Verify that the documentation confirms Salmonella as the causative organism of the arthritis; do not assume arthritis is Salmonella-related without explicit confirmation. For A02.23, confirm that the documentation supports the diagnosis and meets the applicable coding, encounter, program and payer requirements. MEAT (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) is a review mnemonic, not a universal CMS coding rule. When documentation is ambiguous, coders should issue a provider query rather than assume the highest-specificity variant.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, source-labeled coefficient references, and MEAT documentation criteria for A02.23 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Verify that the documentation confirms Salmonella as the causative organism of the arthritis; do not assume arthritis is Salmonella-related without explicit confirmation
- •Identify and code the specific joint(s) affected using the appropriate anatomical site codes, as A02.23 requires a fifth character to specify the site of arthritis
Clinical Significance
Salmonella arthritis represents direct joint infection by non-typhi Salmonella organisms, a condition particularly associated with sickle cell disease and immunocompromised states. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent permanent joint damage and systemic spread.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Identification of Salmonella species from synovial fluid culture or strong clinical evidence
- ✓Specific joint(s) involved with physical examination findings
- ✓Synovial fluid analysis (cell count, Gram stain, culture results)
- ✓Imaging of affected joints if obtained
- ✓Documentation of predisposing conditions (sickle cell disease, HIV, immunosuppressive therapy)
Commonly Confused Codes
- •A01.04 (Typhoid arthritis): Use A01.04 specifically for S. typhi joint infection; A02.23 is for non-typhi Salmonella species
- •M00.9 (Pyogenic arthritis, unspecified): Use A02.23 when Salmonella is identified as the causative organism
- •M02.19 (Postdysenteric arthropathy): Use M02 series for reactive arthritis following Salmonella GI infection, not A02.23 which is for direct infectious arthritis