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K51.90
ICD-10-CM
Ulcerative Colitis

Find comprehensive information on Ulcerative Colitis including clinical documentation, medical coding, ICD-10 codes K51, SNOMED CT concepts, and healthcare guidelines. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and management of Ulcerative Colitis for accurate medical records and optimal patient care. Explore resources for healthcare professionals, including coding best practices and clinical terminology related to Ulcerative Colitis.

Also known as

UC
Chronic Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Ulcerative Colitis

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Chronic inflammatory bowel disease causing ulcers in the colon and rectum lining.
  • Clinical Signs : Bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, urgency, weight loss, fatigue.
  • Common Settings : Gastroenterology clinic, hospital, IBD center.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC K51.90 Coding
K51.-

Ulcerative colitis

Chronic inflammation and ulcers in the large intestine.

K50.-

Crohns disease

Inflammatory bowel disease affecting any part of GI tract.

K52.-

Other noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis

GI inflammation not caused by infection, excluding UC/Crohns.

K63.-

Other diseases of intestines

Various intestinal conditions not classified elsewhere.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is the ulcerative colitis specified as pancolitis?

  • Yes

    Is it with rectal bleeding?

  • No

    Is it proctitis?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Ulcerative colitis: colon inflammation
Crohn's disease: GI tract inflammation
Microscopic colitis: chronic watery diarrhea

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Ulcerative Colitis diagnosis documentation: ICD-10-CM K51.xx
  • Disease location and extent (e.g., proctitis, pancolitis)
  • Severity (mild, moderate, severe, fulminant)
  • Symptoms (bloody stools, abdominal pain, tenesmus)
  • Endoscopy/biopsy findings confirming inflammation

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Location

    Coding ulcerative colitis without specifying extent (e.g., proctitis, left-sided, pancolitis) leads to inaccurate DRG assignment and reimbursement.

  • Severity Mismatch

    Documentation of mild, moderate, or severe UC must align with coded severity. Discrepancies impact quality metrics and payment.

  • Exacerbation Coding

    Failing to distinguish between acute exacerbations and chronic UC impacts resource utilization data and clinical documentation integrity.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Code J82.8 for pancolitis, J82.2-J82.7 for segmental UC.
  • Document disease extent, severity, & symptoms for accurate CDI.
  • Ensure compliance with coding guidelines for E/M services.
  • Query physicians for unclear or missing documentation.
  • Monitor coding updates for UC to maintain compliance.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify bloody stool documented (ICD-10 K51.90)
  • Confirm rectal bleeding, urgency or tenesmus present
  • Check endoscopic findings for mucosal inflammation
  • Review histopathology report for UC confirmation (SNOMED CT 64788007)

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Ulcerative Colitis: ICD-10-CM K51.*, SNOMED CT 64864007
  • Coding accuracy impacts CMI, reimbursement denials, and quality reporting.
  • Accurate E/M coding vital for appropriate UC management reimbursement.
  • Disease severity documentation impacts MS-DRG assignment, hospital payments.
  • Timely pathology, endoscopy coding crucial for accurate APR-DRG grouping.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code K51.x for UC location
  • Specify disease extent (pancolitis?)
  • Document severity (mild/moderate/severe)
  • Look for complications (e.g., strictures)
  • Code manifestations like anemia (K50.8)

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with symptoms consistent with ulcerative colitis (UC).  Chief complaints include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and tenesmus.  The patient reports [frequency] bowel movements per day with visible blood and mucus.  Associated symptoms include fatigue, weight loss of [amount] in the last [duration], and [presence or absence] of fever.  On physical examination, the abdomen is [tender/non-tender] with [description of bowel sounds].  Extraintestinal manifestations such as arthritis, uveitis, or primary sclerosing cholangitis are [present/absent].  The patient's past medical history is significant for [relevant comorbidities].  Family history is positive/negative for inflammatory bowel disease.  Current medications include [list medications].  Differential diagnosis includes Crohn's disease, infectious colitis, and ischemic colitis.  To confirm the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, the following diagnostic tests are planned: colonoscopy with biopsy, fecal calprotectin, and complete blood count (CBC).  Initial management includes [pharmacological treatments such as mesalamine, corticosteroids, or biologics] and dietary modifications.  Patient education regarding disease management, medication adherence, and potential complications such as toxic megacolon and colorectal cancer risk was provided.  Follow-up appointment scheduled in [duration] to assess treatment response and adjust management as needed.  ICD-10 code K51.9, Ulcerative colitis, unspecified, is assigned.
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