2025 ICD-10-CM code R39.81
(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 genitourinary system Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99) Feed
Functional urinary incontinence; inability to reach the toilet in time due to factors outside the urinary system.
The medical necessity for coding R39.81 rests on establishing that the urinary incontinence is directly caused by factors outside the urinary tract, such as physical or cognitive impairment, environmental barriers, or a combination thereof.Documentation must support this causal relationship.
Assessment of the patient's physical and cognitive abilities, environmental factors impacting toileting, and determination of appropriate interventions to manage incontinence, such as assistive devices, environmental modifications, or medication adjustments for related conditions.
- Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
- Symptoms and signs involving the genitourinary system (R30-R39)
In simple words: Functional urinary incontinence means you can't get to the bathroom in time because of something other than a problem with your bladder or urinary tract. This could be because you have trouble moving around, can't think clearly enough to get to the bathroom, or the bathroom is too far away or hard to reach.
Functional urinary incontinence (R39.81) is a type of urinary incontinence characterized by the inability to reach the toilet in time due to physical limitations, cognitive impairment, or environmental barriers.This is distinct from other types of incontinence where the urinary system itself is the primary cause of the leakage.Examples include individuals with severe mobility issues, cognitive decline preventing timely toileting, or those living in environments lacking accessible restroom facilities.
Example 1: An elderly patient with severe arthritis experiences functional incontinence because they cannot quickly transfer from their wheelchair to the toilet., A patient with dementia is unable to communicate their need to urinate timely, leading to functional incontinence., A patient living in a multi-story building without an elevator experiences functional incontinence due to difficulty navigating the stairs to the bathroom.
Detailed documentation should include assessment of the patient's mobility, cognitive function, environmental barriers, and a clear statement that the incontinence is a consequence of factors external to the urinary system.
** This code is frequently used in conjunction with other codes to provide a complete clinical picture.Careful documentation is crucial to avoid misclassification.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Geriatric medicine, neurology, urology, rehabilitation medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Home, Skilled Nursing Facility, Nursing Facility, Hospital (Inpatient and Outpatient)