2025 ICD-10-CM code K51.518
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Gastrointestinal Diseases - Ulcerative colitis Diseases of the digestive system Feed
Left-sided colitis with other complications.
Modifiers might be applicable depending on the circumstances of service, such as the place of service or the type of procedure performed. Consult current modifier guidelines.
Medical necessity for coding K51.518 is established by the presence of left-sided colitis symptoms (abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, weight loss) confirmed through diagnostic testing (colonoscopy).The presence of a significant complication further supports the medical necessity for treatment and coding.
The clinical responsibility involves diagnosing and managing the left-sided colitis and any associated complications. This includes conducting a thorough patient history, physical exam, ordering appropriate diagnostic tests (such as colonoscopy, imaging studies, blood tests), and determining the best course of treatment which could range from medication management to surgical intervention.
In simple words: This code means inflammation in the left side of the large intestine (colon) along with other problems.The doctor will need to explain what these other problems are.
This code signifies left-sided colitis (inflammation of the colon's left side) accompanied by additional complications not specified elsewhere.These complications could include, but aren't limited to, abscesses, fistulas, intestinal obstruction, or other specified issues.Further diagnostic codes are needed to specify the exact nature of the complication(s).
Example 1: A 45-year-old female presents with symptoms of left-sided abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and weight loss. Colonoscopy reveals left-sided ulcerative colitis with a perianal fistula.K51.518 is used to code the left-sided colitis with the fistula as the complication., A 60-year-old male with a history of ulcerative colitis experiences a severe exacerbation with worsening abdominal pain and signs of intestinal obstruction. Imaging studies confirm left-sided colitis with an associated stricture causing the obstruction. K51.518 is coded to represent the left-sided colitis and intestinal obstruction., A 30-year-old female is diagnosed with left-sided ulcerative colitis and a subsequent abscess formation.The abscess is drained surgically. K51.518 is utilized to represent the colitis and the complication of abscess formation.
Comprehensive documentation is essential. This includes the patient's history, physical examination findings, results of colonoscopy or other imaging studies confirming the location and extent of the colitis, documentation of the specific complication(s), and details of any treatment administered.
** Accurate coding necessitates thorough documentation of the patient’s clinical presentation and the specific complication associated with the left-sided colitis.Always refer to the most current ICD-10-CM coding guidelines and any relevant payer-specific instructions.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Specialties:Gastroenterology, Colorectal Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Office