Is ICD-10-CM code A39 billable?

No, A39 (Meningococcal infection) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code. It must be coded to a more specific subcategory before it can be used for reimbursement.

What chapter does ICD-10-CM code A39 belong to?

A39 belongs to Chapter 1 of the ICD-10-CM tabular list: A00–B99 (Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases).

A39Not billable, use a more specific code below

Meningococcal infection

In Other bacterial diseases (A30-A49), chapter 1: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases

15 billable codes under A39: 10 are an MCC, 5 are a CC; 5 map to HCC 2 (Septicemia, Sepsis, Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/Shock), HCC 92 (Bone/Joint/Muscle/Severe Soft Tissue Infections/Necrosis).A CC or MCC (major CC) is a secondary diagnosis that raises the MS-DRG payment. An HCC counts toward a Medicare Advantage patient's risk score.

Official coding guidelines

From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.

Rules for coding infections and parasitic diseases, including HIV, organism and drug resistance codes, sepsis and septic shock, MRSA, Zika, and COVID-19.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infections (page 19)
Infectious agents as the cause of diseases classified to other chapters (page 22)
Infections resistant to antibiotics (page 22)
Sepsis, Severe Sepsis, and Septic Shock (page 23)
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Conditions (page 27)
Zika virus infections (page 28)
Coronavirus infections (page 28)

Read Section I.C.1 (page 19)

All codes under A39

A39 can't be used on a claim. Pick a billable code below; grey headings group them.

A39 MS-DRGs

As the principal diagnosis, the billable codes under A39 group to these 20 MS-DRGs (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.

DRG 791 Prematurity with Major Problems (8 of 15 codes)
DRG 793 Full Term Neonate with Major Problems (8 of 15 codes)
DRG 870 Septicemia or Severe Sepsis with MV >96 Hours (6 of 15 codes)
DRG 871 Septicemia or Severe Sepsis without MV >96 Hours with MCC (6 of 15 codes)
DRG 872 Septicemia or Severe Sepsis without MV >96 Hours without MCC (6 of 15 codes)
DRG 314 Other Circulatory System Diagnoses with MCC (3 of 15 codes)
DRG 315 Other Circulatory System Diagnoses with CC (3 of 15 codes)
DRG 316 Other Circulatory System Diagnoses without CC/MCC (3 of 15 codes)
DRG 023 Craniotomy with Major Device Implant or Acute Complex CNS Principal Diagnosis with MCC or Antineoplastic Implant or Epilepsy with Neurostimulator (2 of 15 codes)
DRG 024 Craniotomy with Major Device Implant or Acute Complex CNS Principal Diagnosis without MCC (2 of 15 codes)
DRG 094 Bacterial and Tuberculous Infections of Nervous System with MCC (2 of 15 codes)
DRG 095 Bacterial and Tuberculous Infections of Nervous System with CC (2 of 15 codes)
DRG 096 Bacterial and Tuberculous Infections of Nervous System without CC/MCC (2 of 15 codes)
DRG 548 Septic Arthritis with MCC (2 of 15 codes)
DRG 549 Septic Arthritis with CC (2 of 15 codes)
DRG 550 Septic Arthritis without CC/MCC (2 of 15 codes)
DRG 123 Neurological Eye Disorders (1 of 15 codes)
DRG 288 Acute and Subacute Endocarditis with MCC (1 of 15 codes)
DRG 289 Acute and Subacute Endocarditis with CC (1 of 15 codes)
DRG 290 Acute and Subacute Endocarditis without CC/MCC (1 of 15 codes)

About the condition

Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.

Meningococcal Disease

Meningococcal disease is the name for any illness that is caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria (also called meningococcal bacteria). These illnesses are often severe and can sometimes be deadly. They include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and in the bloodstream (sepsis). Vaccines can help prevent the disease.

Code history

Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.