N39.0 – Urinary tract infection, site not specified

N39.0 diagnosis code: Urinary tract infection, site not specified

The N39.0 code is included in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), and it is used to designate "Urinary tract infection, site not specified." This code falls under the broader category of disorders of the urinary system in the genitourinary system section of the classification.

A urinary tract infection occurs when bacterial infections or other microbial invasions affect the urinary system. This typically begins when bacteria enter a person's urethra and travel upward in the urinary tract. Inflammatory responses to these pathogens may cause complications such as hematuria (bloody urine), a burning sensation during urination, groin cramps, lower back pain, fevers, chills, etc.

When a person is dealing with a urinary tract infection, the specific site will likely be the bladder (which is the most common urinary tract infection site) or the kidney (not as common as bladder UTIs but is more serious). In the case of this ICD-10-CM code, the infection site not specified means the exact location within the urinary tract hasn't been determined, but based on the symptoms and preliminary tests, it has been determined that the patient is dealing with a urinary tract infection.

Is the N39.0 billable?

Yes, the N39.0 urinary tract infection ICD-10 code is billable and can be used to designate a patient for reimbursement purposes. N39.0 should not be used if the infection site is documented (e.g., cystitis, urethritis).

Healthcare providers should use an additional code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent when known. If a specified morphological lesion is present, the appropriate code for that condition should be used instead.

N39.0 clinical information

Urinary tract infections are the second most common condition affecting the urinary system. They can be caused by something as simple as poor hygiene. They can also be caused by sexual activity, getting older, and getting pregnant.

A patient who has a urinary tract infection will have any of the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Chills
• Painful or burning sensation while urinating
• Frequent urination
• Hematuria (blood in their urine)
• Pressure or cramps in the groin
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain in the lower back or side of the back

Depending on the combination of symptoms they have, they might have a bladder infection or a kidney infection, but, again, in the context of this ICD-10-CM code, the specified site of the infection hasn't been determined, but it is known that the person is dealing with a urinary tract infection.

Neonatal urinary tract infection may present with non-specific symptoms such as poor feeding, jaundice, or failure to thrive. Elderly patients may present with atypical symptoms such as confusion or general deterioration without the classic urinary tract symptoms. Pregnant women with urinary tract infections require prompt treatment due to increased risks of complications.

Common treatments for this condition include antibiotics to address bacterial infections.

N39.0 synonyms include

• Acute lower urinary tract infection
• Acute upper urinary tract infection
• Acute urinary tract infection
• Bacterial infections of urinary tract
• Infection of urinary tract caused by Herpes simplex
• Lower urinary tract infectious disease
• Postoperative urinary tract infection
• Proteus urinary tract infection
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa urinary tract infection
• Recurrent urinary tract infection
• Sepsis due to urinary tract infection
• Upper urinary tract infection
• Urethritis not specified as sexually transmitted
• Urinary system disorder

Related but distinct conditions

When coding, it's important to distinguish N39.0 from conditions that may present similarly:

• Cystitis with known etiology should be coded separately
• Interstitial cystitis (N30.10) represents a distinct non-infectious condition
• Proteinuria NOS may be an incidental finding and not related to infection
• Unspecified urethral disorders may mimic infection symptoms
• Urinary incontinence may be present alongside or independent of infection

Other ICD-10 codes commonly used for urinary tract infections

• N39 - Other disorders of urinary system
• N39.3 - Stress incontinence (female) (male)
• N39.4 - Other specified urinary incontinence
• N39.41 - Urge incontinence
• N39.42 - Incontinence without sensory awareness
• N39.43 - Post-void dribbling
• N39.44 - Nocturnal enuresis
• N39.45 - Continuous leakage
• N39.46 - Mixed incontinence
• N39.498 - Other specified urinary incontinence
• N39.8 - Other specified disorders of urinary system
• N39.9 - Disorder of urinary system, unspecified