2025 ICD-10-CM code R10.84
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Symptoms - Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen (R10-R19) Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99) Feed
Generalized abdominal pain, not attributable to a more specific diagnosis.
Modifiers may be applicable based on the context and additional services provided. Consult current coding guidelines for appropriate modifier usage.
Medical necessity for R10.84 is established when the patient presents with generalized abdominal pain and a more specific diagnosis cannot be determined despite appropriate investigation.The medical record should clearly document the efforts made to determine the underlying cause of the pain.
The physician's responsibility includes a thorough history and physical examination to determine the cause of abdominal pain, including ordering appropriate diagnostic tests to rule out serious conditions. If the cause remains unknown after investigation, appropriate documentation supporting R10.84 is necessary.
- Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
- Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen (R10-R19)
In simple words: This code means the patient has stomach pain that's not in one specific spot, and doctors haven't figured out the exact reason yet.
R10.84, Generalized abdominal pain, is an ICD-10-CM code used to document diffuse pain throughout the abdominal area when a more precise diagnosis cannot be established.This code is applied when the pain is not localized to a specific area and the underlying cause remains undetermined after investigation. The pain may range in severity from mild discomfort to intense pain affecting daily activities.Associated symptoms might include cramping, bloating, fullness, or nausea.This code should only be utilized when a more specific diagnosis is unavailable, and appropriate documentation supporting the generalized nature of the pain must be present in the medical record.
Example 1: A patient presents to the emergency department complaining of diffuse abdominal pain that started several hours ago. After a complete examination and initial diagnostic tests, the cause remains undetermined. R10.84 is assigned., A patient is seen in the clinic with chronic, generalized abdominal discomfort.Work-up including blood work, imaging, and consultation with a gastroenterologist reveals no specific pathology. R10.84 is utilized in this case of non-specific abdominal pain., During a routine physical exam, a patient reports vague, mild abdominal discomfort that is not localized. The examination reveals no acute issues. Further investigation is deferred for the time being, and R10.84 is assigned as a temporary diagnosis.
** R10.84 should not be used if a more specific diagnosis of abdominal pain can be made or if the cause of abdominal pain is determined after the initial assessment.Always code to the highest degree of specificity.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.R10.84 is a diagnosis code, not a procedure code.
- Specialties:Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Emergency Room - Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Urgent Care Facility