ICDcodes.org
FY2027

R65.2 — Severe sepsis

Not billable

Is R65.2 billable?

No — R65.2 is a non-billable header code. R65.2 groups more specific codes and cannot be submitted on a claim. A valid ICD-10-CM code must be reported at the highest level of specificity available in its branch. Select one of the 2 billable codes beneath R65.2.

R65.2 at a glance

CodeR65.2
DescriptionSevere sepsis
BillableNo — header code
Code setICD-10-CM FY2027
Valid for encountersOctober 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027

Code first

The underlying condition below must be sequenced before R65.2. R65.2 describes a manifestation and cannot be the principal or first-listed diagnosis.

  • underlying infection, such as:
  • infection following a procedure (T81.4-)
  • infections following infusion, transfusion and therapeutic injection (T80.2-)
  • puerperal sepsis (O85)
  • sepsis following complete or unspecified spontaneous abortion (O03.87)
  • sepsis following ectopic and molar pregnancy (O08.82)
  • sepsis following incomplete spontaneous abortion (O03.37)
  • sepsis following (induced) termination of pregnancy (O04.87)
  • sepsis NOS (A41.9)

Use additional code

Report an additional code alongside R65.2 to fully describe the condition. R65.2 is sequenced first.

  • code to identify specific acute organ dysfunction, such as:
  • acute kidney failure (N17.-)
  • acute respiratory failure (J96.0-)
  • critical illness myopathy (G72.81)
  • critical illness polyneuropathy (G62.81)
  • disseminated intravascular coagulopathy [DIC] (D65)
  • encephalopathy (metabolic) (septic) (G93.41)
  • hepatic failure (K72.0-)

Inclusion terms

Alternative wording in documentation that is classified to R65.2.

  • Infection with associated acute organ dysfunction
  • Sepsis with acute organ dysfunction
  • Sepsis with multiple organ dysfunction
  • Systemic inflammatory response syndrome due to infectious process with acute organ dysfunction

Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 18

The conditions below are not part of R65.2, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, R65.2 and the excluded code may both be reported.

  • abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • signs and symptoms classified in the body system chapters
  • signs and symptoms of breast (N63, N64.5)

What codes fall under R65.2? (2)

How long has R65.2 existed?

R65.2 has been in ICD-10-CM since at least FY2016, the earliest fiscal year on record here.

Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.

What other codes are in the R65 family? (1)