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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective TissueDRG 549-septic-arthritis-with-cc
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    Septic Arthritis with Complication or Comorbidity: Inpatient Reimbursement Overview

    DRG 549 addresses inpatient care for septic arthritis with a Complication or Comorbidity; it covers cases requiring more intensive medical and procedural management than uncomplicated admissions. Proper classification matters for inpatient reimbursement because the presence of a Complication or Comorbidity changes the Diagnosis-Related Group assignment and associated Medicare payment to reflect greater resource use.

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    DRG 549 Overview

    DRG 549 covers inpatient admissions for septic arthritis when a Complication or Comorbidity is present, encompassing infectious inflammation of native or prosthetic joints requiring hospitalization. This Diagnosis-Related Group captures clinical resource needs such as intravenous antibiotics, joint aspiration or surgical drainage, and possible orthopedics or infectious disease consultations. It matters for Medicare payment because the Complication or Comorbidity designation adjusts relative payment to reflect higher expected resource use compared with cases without comorbid conditions. Accurate clinical documentation and coding determine assignment to this Diagnosis-Related Group and influence reimbursement.

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    Clinical Trials

    • Acute antimicrobial strategy trials: randomized studies comparing different empiric and targeted antibiotic regimens, durations, or routes of delivery (e.g., early IV versus early switch to oral therapy) for hospitalized adults with septic arthritis complicated by comorbidities (diabetes, chronic kidney disease) or concurrent bacteremia. These trials focus on the initial inpatient management window to define optimal agents and therapy length that achieve joint sterilization and prevent relapse while minimizing adverse events. Results inform hospital protocols, length of stay, antibiotic stewardship, and payer decisions about inpatient versus early outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy coverage.
    • Procedural and source-control studies: comparative effectiveness research evaluating surgical approaches (arthroscopic versus open irrigation and debridement) and timing of intervention in patients with septic arthritis of native or prosthetic joints, including subgroups with prosthetic joint infection or immunosuppression. These studies assess short-term infection resolution, need for repeat procedures, and complication rates, providing evidence on which procedural strategies reduce LOS, readmissions, and the need for costly prosthesis explantation. Findings help clinicians triage patients to the most effective procedural pathway and help payers model costs associated with different surgical approaches.
    • Post-discharge outcomes and rehabilitation research: cohort and interventional studies examining functional recovery, rehospitalization, and long-term joint outcomes after inpatient treatment for septic arthritis, including the role of structured physical therapy, home health services, and monitoring for recurrent infection. These studies target the transition from inpatient to outpatient care in older adults and patients with mobility-limiting comorbidities to identify predictors of poor recovery and interventions that reduce readmissions and disability. Evidence from this area guides allocation of post-acute resources, case management strategies, and reimbursement policies that aim to lower total episode-of-care costs while improving patient functional outcomes.

    Related Codes

    402-SINGLE-LEVEL-COMBINED-ANTERIOR-AND-POSTERIOR-SPINAL-FUSION-EXCEPT-CERVICAL

    Single Level Combined Anterior and Posterior Spinal Fusion Except Cervical: Inpatient Reimbursement Overview

    426-MULTIPLE-LEVEL-COMBINED-ANTERIOR-AND-POSTERIOR-SPINAL-FUSION-EXCEPT-CERVICAL-WITH-MCC-OR-CUSTOM-MADE-ANATOMICALLY-DESIGNED-INTERBODY-FUSION-DEVICE

    Multiple Level Combined Anterior and Posterior Spinal Fusion Except Cervical with MCC or Custom-Made Anatomically Designed Interbody Fusion Device: Inpatient Reimbursement Overview

    427-MULTIPLE-LEVEL-COMBINED-ANTERIOR-AND-POSTERIOR-SPINAL-FUSION-EXCEPT-CERVICAL-WITH-CC

    Multiple Level Combined Anterior and Posterior Spinal Fusion Except Cervical with CC: Inpatient Reimbursement Overview

    428-MULTIPLE-LEVEL-COMBINED-ANTERIOR-AND-POSTERIOR-SPINAL-FUSION-EXCEPT-CERVICAL-WITHOUT-CC-MCC

    Multiple Level Combined Anterior and Posterior Spinal Fusion Except Cervical without CC/MCC: Inpatient Reimbursement Overview

    429-COMBINED-ANTERIOR-AND-POSTERIOR-CERVICAL-SPINAL-FUSION-WITH-MCC

    Combined Anterior and Posterior Cervical Spinal Fusion with MCC: Inpatient Reimbursement Overview

    430-COMBINED-ANTERIOR-AND-POSTERIOR-CERVICAL-SPINAL-FUSION-WITHOUT-MCC

    Combined Anterior and Posterior Cervical Spinal Fusion without MCC: Inpatient Reimbursement Overview

    447-MULTIPLE-LEVEL-SPINAL-FUSION-EXCEPT-CERVICAL-WITH-MCC-OR-CUSTOM-MADE-ANATOMICALLY-DESIGNED-INTERBODY-FUSION-DEVICE

    Multiple Level Spinal Fusion Except Cervical with MCC: Inpatient Reimbursement Overview

    448-MULTIPLE-LEVEL-SPINAL-FUSION-EXCEPT-CERVICAL-WITHOUT-MCC

    Multiple Level Spinal Fusion Except Cervical without MCC: Inpatient Reimbursement Overview

    450-SINGLE-LEVEL-SPINAL-FUSION-EXCEPT-CERVICAL-WITH-MCC-OR-CUSTOM-MADE-ANATOMICALLY-DESIGNED-INTERBODY-FUSION-DEVICE

    Single Level Spinal Fusion Except Cervical with MCC or Custom-Made Device: Inpatient Reimbursement Overview

    451-SINGLE-LEVEL-SPINAL-FUSION-EXCEPT-CERVICAL-WITHOUT-MCC

    Single Level Spinal Fusion Except Cervical without MCC: Inpatient Reimbursement Overview

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    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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