Final answer:
For Mr. Jones, who was diagnosed with Mediterranean tick fever upon hospital discharge, the appropriate ICD-10-CM code is A77.1. This coding is crucial for correct medical billing and epidemiological tracking.
Step-by-step explanation:
The diagnosis code for Mediterranean tick fever, also known as Boutonneuse fever, is A77.1 according to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM).
Mediterranean tick fever is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia conorii, which is transmitted by the bite of an infected Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick. The ICD-10-CM code A77.1 accurately reflects this diagnosis. It is essential for accurate medical billing and tracking health statistics.
ICD codes are critical in health care as they are used by medical professionals and institutions for various purposes such as ordering specific lab tests, prescribing treatment plans, processing insurance claims, and the collection of morbidity and mortality statistics.