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ICD-10 Coding for Colic(R10.83, K80.51)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Colic. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Infantile ColicBiliary Colic

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Colic

R10.8Primary Range

Other abdominal pain

Includes specific codes for colic based on age and etiology.

Disorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas

Includes codes for biliary colic related to gallstones.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
R10.83ColicUse for infants meeting the 'rule of three' criteria without other underlying conditions.
  • Age ≤12 months
  • Crying >3 hours/day, >3 days/week, >3 weeks
  • No evidence of organic pathology
K80.51Calculus of bile duct with acute cholecystitis with obstructionUse when gallstones are confirmed as the cause of colic symptoms.
  • Right upper quadrant pain
  • Vomiting
  • Ultrasound shows gallstones

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for infantile colic

Essential facts and insights about Colic

The ICD-10 code for infantile colic is R10.83, applicable for infants meeting specific criteria.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for colic

Colic
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Infant age and symptom duration

coding Criteria

  • Exclusion of other diagnoses

Applicable To

  • Infantile colic

Excludes

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Age ≤12 months
  • Crying >3 hours/day, >3 days/week, >3 weeks
  • No evidence of organic pathology

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrect use for patients older than 12 months
  • Failure to document the 'rule of three'

Coding Notes

  • Ensure age and symptom criteria are met before coding.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Encounter for health supervision of healthy infant

Z76.2
Use for routine colic visits.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Biliary colic

K80.51
Presence of gallstones confirmed by imaging.

Colic

R10.83
Absence of gallstones and age criteria.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Colic to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code R10.83.

Impact

Clinical: Inadequate symptom tracking and management., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Financial: Potential claim denials due to insufficient documentation.

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific criteria for symptom documentation., Ensure exclusion of other conditions is documented.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with age-specific coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate patient records and statistics.

Mitigation Strategy

Use R10.84 for older patients with unspecified abdominal pain.

Impact

Incorrect use of R10.83 for patients older than 12 months.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement age verification protocols in coding processes.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Colic, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Colic

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Colic. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Infant with colic symptoms

Specialty: Pediatrics

Required Elements

  • Age and symptom duration
  • Physical findings
  • Exclusion of other conditions

Example Documentation

2-month-old with 4-hour crying bouts daily, 5 days/week. Weight stable at 50th percentile. Normal abdominal ultrasound.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Baby cries a lot.
Good Documentation Example
2-month-old meets Wessel criteria: 4-hour crying bouts daily since 8/1, occurring 5 days/week. Weight 50th percentile. No vomiting/diarrhea. Normal abdominal ultrasound 8/15.
Explanation
The good example provides specific duration, frequency, and exclusion of other conditions.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Colic? Ask your questions below.

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