Sepsis ICD-10 code
The ICD-10-CM code for sepsis is A41.9 — sepsis, unspecified organism. It is billable and valid for submission on a claim. There are 16 related codes, and which one you use depends on what the documentation supports.
The mistake coders make here
Sepsis coding is sequencing-heavy: the underlying infection is coded first, and severe sepsis requires R65.2- plus a code for the associated organ dysfunction. A41.9 alone rarely tells the whole story.
All ICD-10-CM codes for sepsis
13 of 16 are billable. Green means you can submit it as-is.
| Code | Use it when |
|---|---|
| A41.9 | Sepsis, unspecified organism |
| A41.51 | Sepsis due to Escherichia coli [E. coli] |
| A41.01 | Sepsis due to Methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus |
| R65.20 | Severe sepsis without septic shock |
| R65.21 | Severe sepsis with septic shock |
| A41 | Other sepsisnot billable on its own |
| A41.89 | Other specified sepsis |
| A41.8 | Other specified sepsisnot billable on its own |
| A41.53 | Sepsis due to Serratia |
| A41.4 | Sepsis due to anaerobes |
| A41.81 | Sepsis due to Enterococcus |
| A41.59 | Other Gram-negative sepsis |
| A41.3 | Sepsis due to Hemophilus influenzae |
| A41.0 | Sepsis due to Staphylococcus aureusnot billable on its own |
| A41.54 | Sepsis due to Acinetobacter baumannii |
| A41.2 | Sepsis due to unspecified staphylococcus |