ICD-10 Coding for Diarrhea(K52.9, A09)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Diarrhea. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Diarrhea
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| K52.9 | Non-infectious gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified | Use when diarrhea is chronic and non-infectious, with no pathogen isolated. |
|
| A09 | Infectious gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified | Use when diarrhea is acute and suspected to be infectious. |
|
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 non-infectious diarrhea
Essential facts and insights about Diarrhea
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for diarrhea
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Chronic diarrhea with negative infectious workup
Applicable To
- Chronic diarrhea
- Idiopathic diarrhea
Excludes
- Infectious diarrhea (A09)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Negative stool studies
- Chronic symptoms without infectious cause
Code-Specific Risks
- Misclassification if infectious cause is later identified
Coding Notes
- Ensure chronicity and non-infectious nature are documented.
A09 - Infectious gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified
Use when diarrhea is acute and suspected to be infectious.
Applicable To
- Acute diarrhea
- Infectious diarrhea
Excludes
- Non-infectious diarrhea (K52.9)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Positive stool culture or PCR
- Symptoms suggestive of infection
Coding Notes
Ensure infectious etiology is documented or strongly suspected.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Differential Codes
Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.
Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Diarrhea to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code K52.9.
Impact
Clinical: Misdiagnosis of chronic conditions., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential claim denials.
Mitigation Strategy
Educate staff on documentation standards, Use templates for consistency
Impact
Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data reporting.
Mitigation Strategy
Use K52.9 when diarrhea is confirmed non-infectious.
Impact
Risk of coding non-infectious diarrhea as infectious.
Mitigation Strategy
Regular training and audits of coding practices.
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 Diarrhea, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Diarrhea
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Diarrhea. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Acute viral diarrhea
Specialty: GastroenterologyRequired Elements
- Onset and duration
- Stool frequency
- Lab results
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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