ICD-10 Code A17.82 | Tuberculous meningoencephalitis Symptoms, Diagnosis, Billing

Tuberculous meningoencephalitis is a severe form of central nervous system tuberculosis, characterized by inflammation of the meninges and brain. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality if not promptly diagnosed and treated. The ICD-10 Code A17.82 facilitates accurate diagnosis, documentation, medical billing, and public health reporting, ensuring that healthcare providers can effectively manage this critical condition.

What is ICD-10 Code A17.82 for Tuberculous meningoencephalitis?

ICD-10 Code A17.82 represents Tuberculous meningoencephalitis, a serious complication of tuberculosis that affects the meninges and brain. This code should be used when documenting cases of meningoencephalitis resulting from tuberculosis infection, ensuring proper coding for treatment and billing purposes. Accurate use of this code is essential for tracking the incidence and management of this life-threatening condition.

ICD-10 Code A17.82 – Clinical Definition and Explanation of Tuberculous meningoencephalitis

Tuberculous meningoencephalitis is primarily caused by the hematogenous spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from a pulmonary or extrapulmonary site. The condition progresses rapidly, leading to severe neurological deficits and requires immediate medical intervention. Early recognition and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term complications or death.

Key Clinical Features:

• Fever, headache, and altered mental status are common initial symptoms.
• Neurological deficits may include seizures, focal neurological signs, or coma.
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis typically shows lymphocytic pleocytosis and elevated protein levels.
• Patients may present with signs of systemic tuberculosis, such as weight loss and night sweats.

ICD-10 Code A17.82 for Tuberculous meningoencephalitis – SOAP Notes & Clinical Use

In clinical workflows, ICD-10 Code A17.82 is utilized in SOAP notes to document the patient's symptoms, assessment findings, and treatment plans. This code is relevant in both acute and chronic care settings, ensuring comprehensive documentation of the patient's condition and facilitating appropriate billing.

What Does ICD-10 Code A17.82 for Tuberculous meningoencephalitis Mean in SOAP Notes?

ICD-10 Code A17.82 connects subjective patient-reported symptoms and objective clinical findings to a formal diagnosis of Tuberculous meningoencephalitis. This code is essential for ensuring continuity of care, supporting accurate billing, and meeting EHR documentation standards.

Treatment Options for ICD-10 Code A17.82 – Tuberculous meningoencephalitis

Tuberculous meningoencephalitis is a medical emergency requiring hospitalization and aggressive treatment. Prompt initiation of therapy is critical to improve outcomes.

Antibiotic Therapy:

• First-line: Rifampin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, and Ethambutol for a minimum of 12 months.
• Alternative: Levofloxacin or Moxifloxacin may be considered in cases of drug resistance.
• Adjunctive corticosteroids may be used to reduce inflammation.

Supportive Care:

• Monitor neurological status and vital signs closely.
• Manage symptoms such as headache and fever with appropriate analgesics.
• Provide hydration and nutritional support as needed.

Infection Control:

• Implement airborne precautions to prevent transmission in healthcare settings.
• Isolate patients with suspected or confirmed tuberculosis until deemed non-infectious.
• Educate staff on proper infection control measures during outbreaks.

How to Document Symptoms of Tuberculous meningoencephalitis (ICD-10 A17.82) in SOAP Notes

Subjective:

• Patient reports severe headache and fever for the past week.
• Complains of confusion and difficulty concentrating.
• History of recent travel to an area with high tuberculosis prevalence.
• Reports night sweats and unintentional weight loss.

Objective:

• Vital signs: Temperature 39°C, heart rate 110 bpm, blood pressure 100/60 mmHg.
• Neurological exam reveals disorientation and decreased responsiveness.
• CSF analysis shows elevated white blood cell count with lymphocytic predominance.
• CT scan of the brain shows signs of meningeal enhancement.

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SOAP Note Guidelines for Diagnosing Tuberculous meningoencephalitis (ICD-10 Code A17.82)

Assessment:

• Diagnosis: Tuberculous meningoencephalitis, severe.
• ICD-10 Code: A17.82.
• Contributing factors include recent travel to endemic areas and possible exposure to tuberculosis.
• Consider differential diagnoses such as viral or bacterial meningitis.

Plan:

• Initiate anti-tuberculous therapy with Rifampin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, and Ethambutol.
• Administer corticosteroids to manage inflammation.
• Monitor patient in a hospital setting for neurological status and treatment response.
• Schedule follow-up CSF analysis and imaging studies to assess treatment efficacy.

Treatment & Plan Section for ICD-10 Code A17.82 – Tuberculous meningoencephalitis

• First-line pharmacologic treatments include a combination of Rifampin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, and Ethambutol.
• Non-pharmacologic strategies involve supportive care, including hydration and nutritional support.
• Monitoring should include regular neurological assessments and CSF analysis.
• Follow-up practices include scheduling imaging studies and evaluating treatment response.

Using ICD-10 Code A17.82 for Tuberculous meningoencephalitis in Billing & SOAP Note Compliance

• Select accurate subcodes based on clinical severity or complications.
• Document symptoms clearly under Subjective (S) and Objective (O) in SOAP notes.
• Ensure treatment plans align with clinical guidelines to support justified billing.
• Only list CPT codes that are commonly billed with ICD-10 Code A17.82 based on standard medical coding practices.

Related ICD-10 Codes Often Used with Tuberculous meningoencephalitis

• A17.0 – Tuberculous meningitis
• A15.0 – Pulmonary tuberculosis, bacteriologically and histologically confirmed
• A19.9 – Tuberculosis, unspecified
• A17.1 – Tuberculous encephalitis

ICD-10 Code A17.82 in Medical Billing and Insurance for Tuberculous meningoencephalitis

ICD-10 Code A17.82 is crucial for billing in hospital, emergency room, or infectious disease care settings, ensuring accurate reimbursement for services rendered.

Billing Notes:

• Document all relevant clinical findings and treatment plans to support the ICD-10 claim.
• Use this code in conjunction with other relevant codes to capture the full scope of the patient's condition.
• Ensure that the documentation reflects the severity and complexity of the case for appropriate reimbursement.
• Familiarize with payer-specific guidelines for coding and billing related to tuberculosis.

Common CPT Pairings: