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ICD-10 Coding for Guaiac Positive Stool(R19.5, K92.1)

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

Also known as:

Occult Blood in StoolFecal Occult Blood Test Positive

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Guaiac Positive Stool

R19.5Primary Range

Other fecal abnormalities

Used for guaiac positive stool without documented bleeding.

Melena

Used when there is documented bleeding in the stool.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
R19.5Other fecal abnormalitiesUse when stool is guaiac positive without visible bleeding.
  • Positive guaiac test results
  • Documentation of dietary restrictions followed
K92.1MelenaUse when there is documented or visible bleeding in the stool.
  • Documented bleeding in stool
  • Clinical signs of melena

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 guaiac positive stool

Essential facts and insights about Guaiac Positive Stool

The ICD-10 code for guaiac positive stool without documented bleeding is R19.5. Use K92.1 if there is documented bleeding.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for guaiac positive stool

Other fecal abnormalities
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Positive guaiac test without visible bleeding.

documentation Criteria

  • Dietary restrictions followed prior to test.

Applicable To

  • Guaiac positive stool
  • Occult blood in stool

Excludes

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Positive guaiac test results
  • Documentation of dietary restrictions followed

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding as K92.1 without evidence of bleeding.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies 'guaiac positive' and dietary compliance.

Differential Codes

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

Melena

K92.1
Use K92.1 when there is visible or documented bleeding.

Other fecal abnormalities

R19.5
Use R19.5 for occult blood without visible bleeding.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Guaiac Positive Stool to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code R19.5.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to false positive interpretation., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims.

Mitigation Strategy

Standardize dietary instructions., Verify compliance before test.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect DRG assignment may affect payment., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Use R19.5 if no bleeding is documented.

Impact

Improper documentation of test preparation.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure all dietary and medication restrictions are documented.

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 Guaiac Positive Stool, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Guaiac Positive Stool

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

Routine Screening

Specialty: Gastroenterology

Required Elements

  • Test method
  • Number of samples
  • Dietary compliance

Example Documentation

Patient underwent routine screening with guaiac test, 3 samples collected, dietary restrictions followed.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Stool test positive.
Good Documentation Example
Guaiac positive stool on 3 samples, dietary restrictions followed.
Explanation
Good example provides specific test details and compliance.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Guaiac Positive Stool? Ask your questions below.

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