ICD-10 Code G00.9 – Bacterial meningitis, unspecified (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G00.9 – Bacterial meningitis, unspecified
What it is
G00.9 identifies bacterial meningitis when the organism is not specified. Use it for infection of the meninges caused by bacteria, but without documentation naming the pathogen.
Clinical signs
Common findings include fever, headache, neck stiffness, altered mental status, and other meningeal signs. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents bacterial meningitis and does not identify the causative organism. It also fits cases where the chart confirms a bacterial cause, but the specific pathogen is not available yet. Check documentation if another meningitis type is stated.
Do not use for
Do not use G00.9 when the organism is known and a more specific code is available. Do not use it for viral, fungal, or noninfectious meningitis.
Coding tip
Query the provider for the organism whenever the record supports a more specific bacterial meningitis code.