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R39.11
ICD-10-CM
Urinary Hesitancy

Understanding urinary hesitancy? Find information on diagnosis, clinical documentation, and medical coding for urinary hesitancy. Learn about ICD-10 codes, differential diagnosis, treatment options, and common symptoms like weak urine stream, straining to urinate, and intermittent urination. Explore resources for healthcare professionals, including best practices for patient care and accurate medical record keeping related to urinary hesitancy.

Also known as

Hesitancy of Micturition
Difficulty Starting Urination

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Difficulty starting or maintaining a urine stream.
  • Clinical Signs : Weak stream, straining, intermittency, incomplete emptying, urgency.
  • Common Settings : Primary care, urology, emergency room (for acute urinary retention).

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC R39.11 Coding
R39.1-

Urinary hesitancy

Difficulty starting urination.

N40-N51

Diseases of male genital organs

Conditions affecting the male reproductive system, potentially causing hesitancy.

N70-N77

Inflammatory diseases of female pelvic organs

Pelvic inflammation can sometimes lead to urinary symptoms like hesitancy.

R35-R39

Other symptoms and signs involving the urinary system

Encompasses various urinary symptoms, including potential causes of hesitancy.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is urinary hesitancy due to a medication?

  • Yes

    Is the medication documented?

  • No

    Is there a neurological condition causing the hesitancy?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Difficulty starting or emptying bladder
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Urethral stricture

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Urinary hesitancy duration & frequency
  • Onset & associated symptoms (e.g., straining, weak stream)
  • Impact on daily activities (e.g., nocturia, urgency)
  • Physical exam findings (e.g., distended bladder, prostate size)
  • Past medical history, medications, & relevant social history

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document symptom onset, duration, & severity for accurate ICD-10 coding (N40.1, R39.1).
  • CDI: Query physician for specifics like stream force, nocturia to support diagnosis.
  • HCC coding: Capture comorbidities like BPH, prostate CA for risk adjustment accuracy.
  • Review medication list for potential contributing drugs. Document for compliance.
  • Ensure proper documentation of post-void residual (PVR) measurement results.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify patient complaint: difficulty initiating urine stream (ICD-10 R39.1, N13.9)
  • Assess duration and frequency of hesitancy for accurate clinical documentation
  • Physical exam: palpate bladder, check prostate (SNOMED CT 73573006)
  • Consider medication review: anticholinergics, alpha-agonists (patient safety)
  • Rule out BPH, neurogenic bladder, urethral stricture (differential diagnosis)

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Urinary Hesitancy: Reimbursement and Quality Metrics Impact Summary
  • ICD-10 R39.15, N40.1, N39.49 impacts MS-DRG assignment and payment.
  • Coding accuracy crucial for appropriate reimbursement, avoiding denials.
  • Hesitancy documentation impacts quality metrics related to urinary function.
  • Accurate reporting influences hospital profiling and resource allocation.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

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

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • ICD-10 R39.11, hesitancy
  • Document stream strength
  • SNOMED CT 72041002
  • Consider prostatism codes
  • Rule out neurogenic bladder

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints consistent with urinary hesitancy.  Symptoms include difficulty initiating urination, weak urine stream, straining to void, and a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.  Onset of symptoms is reported as gradual over the past [timeframe].  Patient denies dysuria, hematuria, and fever.  Medical history includes [list relevant medical history, e.g., benign prostatic hyperplasia, diabetes, neurological conditions, medications].  Physical examination reveals [relevant findings, e.g., enlarged prostate on digital rectal exam, distended bladder].  Differential diagnosis includes benign prostatic hyperplasia, urethral stricture, bladder neck contracture, neurogenic bladder, and medication side effects.  Assessment of urinary hesitancy includes consideration of patient age, symptom duration, and associated symptoms.  Preliminary diagnosis of urinary hesitancy is made based on patient reported symptoms and clinical findings.  Plan includes [list planned interventions, e.g., urinalysis, prostate-specific antigen PSA test, uroflowmetry, post-void residual measurement, referral to urology].  Patient education provided regarding bladder health, fluid management, and potential treatment options for urinary hesitancy.  Follow-up scheduled in [timeframe] to review test results and discuss further management of urinary retention and voiding dysfunction.  ICD-10 code R39.15 (other difficulty in micturition) is considered pending further evaluation.  Medical decision making complexity is low to moderate based on the current clinical picture.
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