ICD-10-CM codes are codes that name health problems. Doctors, researchers, and policy makers use them to record, report, and study health information. Diarrhea is one of the health problems that can be coded with ICD-10-CM. Diarrhea is when you poop a lot, and your poop is watery. Diarrhea can be short or long, depending on what causes it. It can also affect your work and life. So, it is important for you to find out why you have diarrhea and how to treat it. In this article, you will learn what ICD-10-CM codes are, what are the ICD-10-CM codes for diarrhea, and how to use them right.
Diarrhea ICD-10 Codes.
Diarrhea is when you have to go to the bathroom a lot and your poop is watery. Diarrhea can happen for a short time or a long time, depending on what causes it. Sometimes diarrhea is caused by germs, food, medicine, or surgery. Sometimes diarrhea is caused by problems in your gut, like IBD or IBS.
Diarrhea can make you lose water and salt from your body. It can also make it hard for your body to get the nutrients from your food. Diarrhea can make you feel weak and sick. It can also affect your work and life. So, it is important to find out why you have diarrhea and how to treat it. One of the tools that can help with this is the ICD-10-CM.
What is ICD-10-CM?
ICD-10-CM is a system of codes that name different diseases, symptoms, signs, and problems. It is used by doctors, researchers, and policy makers to record, report, and study health information. ICD-10-CM is based on the ICD-10, which is made by the WHO. But ICD-10-CM has more codes and more details than ICD-10, making it better for the US health care system.
ICD-10-CM codes have 3 to 7 letters and numbers. The first letter and the next two numbers tell you the main group and category of the code. The rest of the letters and numbers tell you more information about the code. For example, the code K52.9 means “Noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified”. The letter K means that the code is about the digestive system. The numbers 52 mean that the code is about noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis. The number 9 means that the code is not specific, meaning that there is not enough information to give a more exact code.
What is the ICD-10-CM Codes for Diarrhea?
There are many ICD-10-CM codes that can be used for diarrhea, depending on the type, cause, and severity of the diarrhea. Here are some of the most common codes for diarrhea:
- K59.1: Functional diarrhea. This code is used for diarrhea that is not caused by any physical or structural problem in the digestive system. It is often related to IBS, stress, anxiety, or food.
- P78.3: Noninfective neonatal diarrhea. This code is used for diarrhea that happens in newborns (less than 28 days old) and is not caused by any germ. It may be because of immature gut function, feeding problems, or birth defects.
- R19.7: Diarrhea, unspecified. This code is used for diarrhea that is not otherwise named. It can be used when there is not enough information to give a more specific code, or when the cause of diarrhea is unknown or not important.
- K58.0: Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea. This code is used for diarrhea that is caused by IBS, a problem in the digestive system that causes belly pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. IBS with diarrhea is one of the types of IBS, and it is more common in women and younger adults.
- F45.8: Other somatoform disorders. This code is used for diarrhea that is caused by psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma. This is also called psychogenic diarrhea, and it is a type of somatoform disorder, which is a condition where physical symptoms are caused by mental or emotional problems.
How to use ICD-10-CM codes for diarrhea?
ICD-10-CM codes for diarrhea can be used for:
- Writing down the diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea in medical records and claims.
- Talking about the diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea among doctors and specialists.
- Finding out how many people have diarrhea and why, and how it changes over time.
- Checking the quality, effectiveness, and cost of care for diarrhea and related problems.
- Doing research and tests on diarrhea and related problems.
To use ICD-10-CM codes for diarrhea correctly, follow these rules:
- Picking the most specific and accurate code that matches the medical notes and the patient’s condition.
- Using more codes to give more details about the cause, severity, problems, or other conditions of diarrhea, if needed.
- Changing the codes regularly to show the changes in the patient’s condition or the treatment.
- Following the coding rules and symbols of ICD-10-CM, such as the use of placeholders, modifiers, and symbols.
The Key Takeaway.
Diarrhea is a common problem that can have different causes and effects. ICD-10-CM is a system of codes that can help with finding out and treating diarrhea and related problems. ICD-10-CM codes for diarrhea can be used for different purposes, such as writing, talking, finding out, checking, and doing research. But it is important to use the codes correctly and carefully, following the rules and symbols of ICD-10-CM.
FAQs On Diarrhea ICD-10 Codes.
What is the difference between acute and chronic diarrhea in terms of ICD-10 codes?
Acute diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts for a short time, usually less than 3 to 4 weeks. Chronic diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts for a long time, usually more than 3 to 4 weeks. The ICD-10 code for acute diarrhea is R19.7, which means diarrhea, unspecified. The ICD-10 code for chronic diarrhea is K52.9, which means noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified. These codes are used when there is not enough information to assign a more specific code, or when the cause of diarrhea is unknown or irrelevant.
What are the ICD-10 codes for diarrhea caused by infections?
Diarrhea caused by infections can be coded with the category A04, which means other bacterial intestinal infections. This category includes codes for diarrhea caused by various bacteria, such as E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Clostridium difficile. The codes in this category have four to six characters, depending on the type and severity of the infection.
What are the ICD-10 codes for diarrhea caused by conditions like IBD or IBS?
Diarrhea caused by conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be coded with the category K50-K52, which means noninfective enteritis and colitis. This category includes codes for various types of inflammation and irritation of the intestines, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and microscopic colitis. The codes in this category have four to seven characters, depending on the type, location, and complication of the condition. One of the codes in this category is K58.0, which means irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, which is a subtype of IBS.
What are the ICD-10 codes for diarrhea caused by medications or food?
Diarrhea caused by medications or food can be coded with the category K52, which means other noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis. This category includes codes for diarrhea caused by various factors, such as adverse effects of drugs, food allergies, food poisoning, and radiation. The codes in this category have four to six characters, depending on the type and cause of the diarrhea.
What are the ICD-10 codes for diarrhea caused by psychological factors?
Diarrhea caused by psychological factors can be coded with the category F45, which means somatoform disorders. This category includes codes for conditions where physical symptoms are caused by mental or emotional distress, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma. One of the codes in this category is F45.8, which means other somatoform disorders, which can be used for psychogenic diarrhea.
