A82.9 ICD-10-CM Code: Rabies, unspecified

A82.9 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for rabies, unspecified. Rabies is a serious viral infection transmitted through animal bites or saliva that affects the nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. This code is used when rabies is diagnosed but the specific type or exposure route is not documented. A82.9 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for certain infectious and parasitic diseases (a00-b99), within the section covering viral and prion infections of the central nervous system (a80-a89).

A82.9 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.

Use this code only when the type of rabies (furious vs. paralytic) or the animal source cannot be determined from the medical record; if more specific information is available, use the appropriate subcode (A82.0-A82.1).