2025 ICD-10-CM code B19
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Infectious and parasitic diseases - Viral hepatitis (B15-B19) Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99) Feed
Unspecified viral hepatitis. This code is used when the specific type of viral hepatitis is not documented.
Medical necessity is established by the signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings indicative of viral hepatitis. The documentation should clearly link the diagnosis of viral hepatitis to the patient's presenting complaints and clinical picture.
Symptoms can vary depending on the specific virus, ranging from asymptomatic to fatigue, poor appetite, fever, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, and in severe cases, cirrhosis, spleen enlargement, and ascites. Diagnosis is based on symptoms, history, physical exam, and lab tests (liver function tests, BUN, bilirubin, protein, and antibody tests).Treatment includes supportive care like nutrition and hydration, antiviral medications, and vaccination.
In simple words: This code refers to a liver infection caused by a hepatitis virus, but the doctor doesn't know which specific type it is.
Viral hepatitis refers to an inflammatory liver disease caused by infection with a hepatitis virus.This code is used when the specific type of viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D, or E) is not documented or specified by the provider.
Example 1: A patient presents with jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal pain.Lab tests indicate elevated liver enzymes, but serology tests for hepatitis A, B, and C are negative.Further testing is inconclusive. The physician documents "viral hepatitis, type unspecified.", A patient is admitted with symptoms consistent with viral hepatitis, including elevated liver enzymes and jaundice.However, due to time constraints or resource limitations, the specific type of hepatitis is not determined before discharge. The provider documents "unspecified viral hepatitis.", A patient with a history of intravenous drug use presents with abnormal liver function tests. The patient's symptoms are vague and could be attributed to various conditions.While viral hepatitis is suspected, the exact type is not confirmed through testing. The physician documents "viral hepatitis, unspecified," reflecting the diagnostic uncertainty.
Documentation should include symptoms, physical exam findings, and laboratory results (liver function tests, serology for specific hepatitis viruses). If the specific type of hepatitis is not identified, the reason for the uncertainty should also be documented.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Disease
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Office, Independent Clinic, Federally Qualified Health Center, Public Health Clinic