2025 ICD-10-CM code R17
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Symptoms - Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen (R17) Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99) Feed
Unspecified jaundice.Excludes neonatal jaundice.
No specific modifiers are typically applied to R17, but appropriate modifiers may apply to related procedures or tests performed in investigation of the jaundice.
Medical necessity is established when a patient exhibits clinical manifestations consistent with jaundice, requiring further investigation to rule out or diagnose underlying disease processes.This typically includes elevated bilirubin levels, and documentation supporting the need for further investigation.
The clinical responsibility involves identifying and documenting the presence of jaundice, ordering appropriate investigations to determine the underlying cause, and managing the condition based on the identified etiology. This could involve blood tests, imaging studies, and/or consultations with specialists.
- 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 yellowing of their skin and eyes (jaundice), but the doctor doesn't know why yet.
Unspecified jaundice represents the presence of yellowish discoloration of the skin, sclera (whites of the eyes), and mucous membranes due to an elevated level of bilirubin in the blood.The etiology (cause) of the jaundice is not specified in this code.It is crucial to differentiate this from neonatal jaundice, which has separate coding.
Example 1: A patient presents with yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes.Initial laboratory tests are ordered to assess bilirubin levels.The cause is yet to be determined., A patient is referred to a gastroenterologist for evaluation of jaundice.The referring physician documents the presence of jaundice and requests investigation of liver function., A patient presents with symptoms suggestive of jaundice but refuses further testing or follow-up.The diagnosis remains unconfirmed.
** R17 is a nonspecific code.Always attempt to code to the highest level of specificity based on available clinical information.Use of this code may result in claims denials if the underlying cause of jaundice is identifiable and a more precise code exists.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Specialties:Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Internal Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital