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A48.2 ICD-10-CM Code: Nonpneumonic Legionnaires' disease [Pontiac fever]

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FY 2026 Apr update / Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99) / Other bacterial diseases (A30-A49)

A48.2

Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidance

Nonpneumonic Legionnaires' disease [Pontiac fever]

Pontiac fever is a mild form of Legionnaires' disease caused by Legionella bacteria that affects the lungs without causing pneumonia. It typically causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle aches that resolve on their own within a few days.

CMS-HCC V28

0

0

RAF 0

CMS-HCC V24

0

0

RAF 0

ACA/HHS

0

0

RAF 0

ESRD/PACE

0

0

RAF 0

RXHCC

0

0

RAF 0

Code Trumping

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Code Book Path

Official
A48Other bacterial diseases, not elsewhere classified
A48.2Nonpneumonic Legionnaires' disease [Pontiac fever]

Inclusion Terms

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list inclusion terms for A48.2 in this effective period.

Excludes 2

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 2 notes for A48.2 in this effective period.

Related Child Codes

Official
A48.0Gas gangrene
A48.1Legionnaires' disease
A48.3Toxic shock syndrome
A48.4Brazilian purpuric fever
A48.5Other specified botulism

Includes

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for A48.2 in this effective period.

Excludes 1

Official
  • actinomycetoma (B47.1)

Code First

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code First sequencing instructions for A48.2 in this effective period.

Use Additional

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for A48.2 in this effective period.

Code Also

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for A48.2 in this effective period.

Buddy Documentation Tip

HCC Buddy guidance
This code is used when Legionella infection is confirmed but pneumonia is NOT present; if pneumonia develops, use A48.1 instead
Document the source of exposure (water systems, air conditioning units, hot tubs) when available, as this is often an outbreak-related condition requiring public health reporting

Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr update, Apr 1, 2026 through Sep 30, 2026. CMS-HCC V28 is 100% phased in for payment year 2026.

Is A48.2 an HCC code?

No. A48.2 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to any HCC category in V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC.

Coder workflow notes

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This code does not map to an HCC category in any model (V28, V24, ESRD, RxHCC).

What This Code Means

A48.2 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for nonpneumonic legionnaires' disease [pontiac fever]. Pontiac fever is a mild form of Legionnaires' disease caused by Legionella bacteria that affects the lungs without causing pneumonia. It typically causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle aches that resolve on their own within a few days. A48.2 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for certain infectious and parasitic diseases (a00-b99), within the section covering other bacterial diseases (a30-a49).

A48.2 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to a payment HCC under the CMS-HCC V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC risk adjustment models. It can be reported on Medicare Advantage encounter data submissions but it does not contribute to a beneficiary's RAF score and therefore does not affect risk-adjusted payments to the plan.

This code is used when Legionella infection is confirmed but pneumonia is NOT present; if pneumonia develops, use A48.1 instead.

HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for A48.2 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Coding Tips

  • This code is used when Legionella infection is confirmed but pneumonia is NOT present; if pneumonia develops, use A48.1 instead
  • Document the source of exposure (water systems, air conditioning units, hot tubs) when available, as this is often an outbreak-related condition requiring public health reporting

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

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