ICD-10 R65.2
Non-Billable HeaderSevere sepsis
About ICD-10-CM R65.2
ICD-10-CM code R65.2 represents Severe sepsis. This is a non-billable header code in the Symptoms, Signs, and Abnormal Findings chapter (block R65). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM R65.2 became effective on October 1, 2025. Non-billable codes cannot be used as a primary or secondary diagnosis on a claim, use a more specific child code instead.
Inclusion Terms / Approximate Synonyms
Clinical terms and conditions classified under R65.2. Per CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular 2026.
- 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
Use Additional Code
When coding R65.2, also report these additional codes when applicable.
- 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-)
Coding Notes
Code First
- 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)
Medicare LCD Coverage for R65.2
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list R65.2 as a covered diagnosis.
This doesn't mean the code isn't covered, it means no MAC has issued a Local Coverage Determination naming this specific code. Coverage may still apply under National Coverage Determinations or general medical-necessity rules.
Commercial Payer Coverage
Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing R65.2.
Our payer policy database covers Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, BCBS, Humana, and Medicare Advantage plans, but R65.2 doesn't currently appear in any indexed policy. The code may still be covered under standard plan benefits.
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with R65.2
Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.
We don't have CPT pairings indexed for this specific code yet. Use the CPT search above to find common procedures, or check your payer's published medical policy for code-specific guidance.
Codes Adjacent To R65.2
Other codes in section R50-R69 (General symptoms and signs).
ICD-10 R65.2, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code R65.2 billable? +
No, R65.2 is a non-billable header code. Use a more specific child code from block R65 when submitting claims.
What other names or terms map to R65.2? +
ICD-10 R65.2 includes: Infection with associated acute organ dysfunction; Sepsis with acute organ dysfunction; Sepsis with multiple organ dysfunction, and 1 more clinical synonyms.
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.
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