ICD-10 Code A77.3 | Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis Symptoms, Diagnosis, Billing

Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis is a tick-borne illness caused by the Rickettsia australis bacterium. It is clinically significant due to its potential to cause severe illness and complications if not diagnosed and treated promptly. The ICD-10 Code A77.3 facilitates accurate diagnosis, documentation, medical billing, and public health reporting, ensuring that healthcare providers can effectively track and manage cases of this infectious disease.

What is ICD-10 Code A77.3 for Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis?

ICD-10 Code A77.3 represents Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis, an infectious disease transmitted by tick bites. This code is used in clinical documentation and billing when diagnosing patients with this condition, which can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. Accurate coding ensures proper treatment and facilitates epidemiological tracking.

ICD-10 Code A77.3 – Clinical Definition and Explanation of Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis

Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis is caused by the Rickettsia australis bacterium, primarily transmitted through tick bites. The condition can progress rapidly, leading to severe symptoms and complications, necessitating immediate medical attention.

Key Clinical Features:

• Fever and chills, often accompanied by headache and muscle pain.
• Rash that typically appears 2-5 days after fever onset, often starting at wrists and ankles.
• History of tick exposure, particularly in endemic areas.
• Potential for severe complications such as renal failure or respiratory distress if untreated.

ICD-10 Code A77.3 for Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis – SOAP Notes & Clinical Use

ICD-10 Code A77.3 is utilized in SOAP notes to document the patient's symptoms, assessment findings, and treatment plan. 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 A77.3 for Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis Mean in SOAP Notes?

In SOAP notes, ICD-10 Code A77.3 connects subjective patient-reported symptoms and objective clinical findings to a formal diagnosis of Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis. This ensures continuity of care, supports accurate billing, and meets EHR documentation standards.

Treatment Options for ICD-10 Code A77.3 – Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis

Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis requires prompt treatment to prevent complications. Hospitalization may be necessary for severe cases, and appropriate antibiotic therapy is critical.

Antibiotic Therapy:

• Doxycycline: First-line treatment, typically for 7-14 days.
• Chloramphenicol: Alternative for patients allergic to doxycycline.
• Rifampin: Considered in specific cases or for severe infections.

Supportive Care:

• Hydration and electrolyte management.
• Antipyretics for fever control.
• Monitoring for complications such as renal failure.

Infection Control:

• Standard precautions to prevent transmission.
• Education on tick avoidance and removal.
• Surveillance in endemic areas during outbreaks.

How to Document Symptoms of Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis (ICD-10 A77.3) in SOAP Notes

Subjective:

• Patient reports fever, chills, and severe headache.
• Rash noted on wrists and ankles, spreading to trunk.
• History of recent outdoor activities in tick-endemic areas.
• Complaints of muscle aches and fatigue.

Objective:

• Vital signs: Fever of 102°F, tachycardia.
• Physical exam reveals rash with maculopapular lesions.
• Laboratory tests show elevated liver enzymes.
• Tick bite history confirmed.

Secure, compliant, and built for trust

HIPAA-compliant and designed with privacy in mind, your patient’s data is protected. Focus on care while we safeguard your information.

Learn more

SOAP Note Guidelines for Diagnosing Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis (ICD-10 Code A77.3)

Assessment:

• Diagnosis: Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis, moderate severity.
• ICD-10 Code: A77.3.
• Contributing factors: Recent tick exposure.
• Potential complications include renal impairment.

Plan:

• Initiate doxycycline treatment for 7-14 days.
• Provide education on tick prevention and removal.
• Monitor renal function and hydration status.
• Schedule follow-up in one week to assess treatment response.

Treatment & Plan Section for ICD-10 Code A77.3 – Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis

• First-line pharmacologic treatment: Doxycycline for 7-14 days.
• Non-pharmacologic strategies: Education on tick avoidance.
• Monitoring practices: Regular assessment of renal function.
• Follow-up recommendations: Re-evaluate in one week for treatment efficacy.

Using ICD-10 Code A77.3 for Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis 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 A77.3 based on standard medical coding practices.

Related ICD-10 Codes Often Used with Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis

• A77.0 – Spotted fever due to Rickettsia rickettsii
• A77.1 – Spotted fever due to Rickettsia conorii
• A77.2 – Spotted fever due to Rickettsia sibirica
• A77.9 – Rickettsial infection, unspecified

ICD-10 Code A77.3 in Medical Billing and Insurance for Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis

ICD-10 Code A77.3 is crucial for billing in hospital, ER, or infectious disease care settings, ensuring accurate reimbursement for services rendered.

Billing Notes:

• Document all relevant patient history and clinical findings to support the ICD-10 claim.
• Use this code in settings where tick-borne diseases are diagnosed and treated.
• Ensure that the documentation includes details of the patient's exposure history.

Common CPT Pairings: