Meningitis in oth infec/parastc diseases classd elswhr

This code signifies inflammation of the meninges (membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) that is a manifestation of an underlying infectious or parasitic disease not specifically categorized elsewhere. It indicates that the meningitis is a secondary complication of another primary infection.

Use this code when documentation clearly states meningitis as a complication of an infectious or parasitic disease for which a more specific meningitis code does not exist. The medical record should identify both the meningitis and the primary infectious or parasitic condition. This code is typically assigned as a secondary diagnosis following the code for the primary underlying infection.

• Always code the underlying infectious or parasitic disease first, followed by this code.
• Carefully review the "Excludes1" list to ensure a more specific meningitis code is not available for the documented etiology.
• Ensure the documentation explicitly links the meningitis to the primary infection, rather than being an isolated finding.