A49.8
BillableOther bacterial infections of unspecified site
Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM (Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026) | CMS-HCC V28 (100% phase-in, PY2026)
Is A49.8 an HCC code?
No. A49.8 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to any HCC category in V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC.
This code does not map to an HCC category in any model (V28, V24, ESRD, RxHCC).
What This Code Means
A49.8 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other bacterial infections of unspecified site. This code is used when a patient has a bacterial infection at an unspecified location in the body that doesn't fit into other more specific bacterial infection categories. It's a catch-all code for bacterial infections where the exact site or type cannot be determined or documented. A49.8 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for certain infectious and parasitic diseases (a00-b99), within the section covering other bacterial diseases (a30-a49).
A49.8 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.
Only use this code when the specific site of infection cannot be identified or documented; always attempt to obtain more specific information about the infection location from the provider.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for A49.8 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Only use this code when the specific site of infection cannot be identified or documented; always attempt to obtain more specific information about the infection location from the provider
- •This is a non-specific code that may trigger audits or denials; ensure documentation supports why a more specific bacterial infection code cannot be assigned