2025 ICD-10-CM code R13.19
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings - Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen Chapter 18: Symptoms, signs, and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified Feed
Other dysphagia; this code encompasses various types of swallowing difficulties not specified elsewhere, including cervical and neurogenic dysphagia.
Modifiers are not typically applicable to ICD-10 codes.
Medical necessity for coding R13.19 is established by the physician's documented clinical findings that support the diagnosis of dysphagia.This includes documentation of symptoms and any investigations performed to rule out other causes.Medical necessity may be further supported by evidence of impact on the patient's nutritional status, hydration, or overall health.
The clinical responsibility for coding R13.19 rests with the physician or qualified healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats the patient's dysphagia.This includes conducting a thorough history, physical examination, and potentially ordering further investigations to determine the cause of the swallowing difficulty.The physician's documentation must accurately reflect the patient's condition and any underlying causes.
- Chapter 18: Symptoms, signs, and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
- R13.19 falls under the broader category of R13 (Dysphagia), which is part of Chapter 18 (Symptoms, signs, and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified) in ICD-10-CM.It is further classified under the subcategory of symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen (R10-R19).
In simple words: This code describes difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) that doesn't have a clear or easily identified cause. Doctors use this code when they can't pinpoint the exact reason why someone is having trouble swallowing, even after tests.If the reason for the swallowing problem is later found (like a stroke), then a separate code will be used for that reason as well.
R13.19, Other dysphagia, is an ICD-10-CM code used to classify instances of difficulty swallowing that don't fit into more specific categories (R13.10-R13.12, R13.18).This includes dysphagia resulting from cervical or neurogenic causes.The code should be used when a more precise diagnosis for the cause of dysphagia is not available, even after thorough investigation. When a specific cause, such as a neurological condition or prior stroke, is identified, appropriate codes for that underlying condition should be assigned and sequenced first, followed by R13.19.For instance, dysphagia secondary to a stroke would be coded with I69.- (sequelae of cerebrovascular disease) and R13.19.This code is not used for psychogenic dysphagia (F45.8).
Example 1: A 72-year-old patient presents with progressive difficulty swallowing solid foods for the past six months.Physical exam shows no obvious structural abnormalities.After a thorough workup, including endoscopy, no specific cause is identified.The physician documents dysphagia of unknown etiology, and R13.19 is assigned., A 65-year-old patient experiences acute onset dysphagia following a stroke.The physician documents residual weakness in the pharyngeal muscles.The codes I69.- (specific type of stroke sequelae) and R13.19 are assigned to reflect both the cause and the symptom., A 45-year-old patient with a history of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) presents with worsening dysphagia.The underlying diagnosis is ALS (G12.2), and R13.19 is added to indicate the dysphagia as a consequence.
The physician's documentation must clearly detail the patient's swallowing difficulties, including the types of food affected, the duration and progression of symptoms, any associated symptoms (such as choking, coughing, or weight loss), and the results of any investigations (e.g., barium swallow, endoscopy).If a specific cause is identified, it should be documented in detail along with the rationale for coding R13.19.
** Accurate documentation is crucial for proper coding and reimbursement.When using R13.19, ensure the medical record clearly explains the reason for selecting this code, including attempts to identify the specific cause of dysphagia.Failure to adequately document may result in claims denials.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to ICD-10 codes.
- Specialties:Gastroenterology, neurology, otolaryngology, geriatrics
- Place of Service:Office, hospital (inpatient or outpatient), skilled nursing facility, other healthcare settings