A39.2

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

A serious bloodstream infection caused by meningococcal bacteria that develops rapidly and can be life-threatening. This condition occurs when the bacteria multiply in the blood and can lead to sepsis, organ failure, or meningitis if not treated immediately.

Coding Tips

• •This code represents the acute phase of meningococcal infection; verify documentation specifies meningococcemia (blood infection) rather than meningitis (brain/spinal cord infection), which would use a different code
• •Look for associated complications such as sepsis (R65.2x), acute respiratory distress syndrome, or disseminated intravascular coagulation, as these should be coded separately to capture disease severity

Clinical Significance

Acute meningococcemia is a rapidly progressive bloodstream infection with Neisseria meningitidis that can progress from initial symptoms to death within hours. It is characterized by petechial/purpuric rash, high fever, and potential for fulminant septic shock. Immediate empiric antibiotic therapy and close contacts' chemoprophylaxis are critical.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Blood cultures or PCR positive for Neisseria meningitidis, or clinical diagnosis with characteristic presentation
• ✓Documentation of acuity — acute presentation with rapid onset
• ✓Rash description (petechiae, purpura, purpura fulminans)
• ✓Hemodynamic status and organ dysfunction assessment
• ✓Serogroup identification if available (A, B, C, W, X, Y) for epidemiologic purposes

Commonly Confused Codes