A39.9

What This Code Means

A bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) where the specific type or location of infection has not been determined or documented. This is a serious infection that can affect the bloodstream, brain lining, or other parts of the body.

Coding Tips

• •Use this code only when the documentation does not specify the type of meningococcal infection (such as meningitis, septicemia, or arthritis); query the provider for more specific documentation to assign a more precise code from the A39 category
• •This unspecified code should be avoided when possible; review the clinical notes carefully to determine if a more specific meningococcal infection code (A39.0-A39.8) can be assigned based on the patient's presentation and test results