ICD-10 Code for Abdominal Bloating: Guidelines
ICD-10 code for bloating falls under Chapter 18 of the ICD-10-CM coding system. Following are the official guidelines provided for Chapter 18:
-If a related definitive diagnosis hasn’t been confirmed by the provider – the codes that describe symptoms and signs are acceptable for reporting purposes.
-There are several combination codes in the ICD-10-CM coding system identifying both; definitive diagnosis and common symptoms of that diagnosis. Note that, for the symptom, an additional code shouldn’t be assigned when using one of these combination codes.
-When a symptom is not commonly associated with the related definitive diagnosis, codes for signs & symptoms may be reported in addition. Such as several symptoms related to complex syndromes. Note that the definitive diagnosis code should be sequenced before the symptom code.
These guidelines will be valid from October 1st, 2021, until September 30th, 2022.
ICD 10 code for Abdominal bloating and distension: Key points
– R14.0 is a billable or specific code; therefore, it can be used for indicating a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
– 2022 edition of the ICD-10-CM code for bloating has been effective since October 1st, 2021.
– R14.0 ICD-10-CM code is applicable for:
- Bloating
- Tympanites (abdominal) (intestinal)
– The approximate synonym for R14.0 includes Abdominal Bloating.
What is Abdominal Bloating?
Abdominal bloating is a feeling of fullness or swelling in the abdomen or belly. This feeling can range from being uncomfortable (mildly) to being particularly painful. For some people, the pain and swelling can become an ongoing issue. However, indigestion or flatulence (excessive gas build-up) is the most common cause of bloating among most people. The reason might seem simple, but bloating can interfere with your daily life activities like work, social life, etc.
Causes of Abdominal Bloating:
Abdominal bloating is common and experienced by many people. There is usually nothing to worry about if the bloating occurs at a similar pattern. However, if this predictable pattern changes as it worsens, there can be several causes behind it. Some of the causes of abdominal bloating are as follows:
Gas or air:
The most common cause of bloating is the build-up of gas or air in the stomach. This gas can be accompanied with:
- Excessive flatulence
- Nausea
- Blenching
The build-up of gas in the stomach can be a reason for several medical conditions and daily lifestyles:
- Eating too fast
- Due to some specific foods like cauliflower, cabbage, or broccoli.
- Infection in the stomach
- Indigestion
- Smoking or chewing gum.
List of food that can cause gas:
- Beans
- Broccoli
- Dairy Products
- Wheat
- Onions
- Fatty foods
- Chewing gum or hard candy
- Fizzy drinks
- Legumes
Foods that are hard to break down can produce gas when the stomach breaks them down.
Indigestion:
Dyspepsia is, also known as indigestion, is the pain or discomfort in the stomach after eating something. Occasionally some people can come across indigestion. Some of the most common causes of indigestion include:
- Overeating
- Eating too fast
- Consuming oily, greasy, or spicy food
- Excessive intake of beverages, carbonated drinks, caffeine, etc.
- Smoking
Indigestion caused due to reasons unrelated to food can be a more serious issue like:
- Ulcers
- Gallstones
- Pancreas Inflammation
- Cancer
- Liver failure
Infection:
Various viral infections or bacteria can be a reason for stomach infections. This infection can also include:
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting & Nausea
- Pain in the stomach
SIBO:
It stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, a.k.a. SIBO. The stomach consists of bacteria assisting in the digestion of food and absorption of other nutrients. An increase of harmful bacteria in the small intestine can be a result of an imbalance in these bacteria. It is also known as small intestine bacterial overgrowth or SIBO.
Fluid retention:
It can be caused due to intake of salty foods, changes in hormone levels, and having food intolerances that can result in the fluid build-up. Among women, bloating can be experienced before they get their periods or during early pregnancy.
Fluid retention causing chronic bloating can also be a reason for more serious conditions like diabetes or kidney disorder (like kidney failure).
Gastroparesis:
This condition leads to slow emptying of the stomach as a result of not proper functionality of the stomach muscles. Common symptoms of gastroparesis include:
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Discomfort
- Loss in appetite
- Pain
This can also be a reason for other medical condition like diabetes.
Constipation:
Another common cause of bloating is constipation. Causes of constipation include:
- Food intolerance
- Bowel disorders
- Dehydration
- Due to some medications
- Nutrient deficiencies
Other medical conditions:
Several other medical conditions result in bloating. Some of them include:
- IBS – irritable bowel syndrome
- FGIDs – other Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Giardiasis (Intestinal Parasite Infection)
- Eating disorders
- Mental health issues
- Medications
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Hormonal Flux among women
How long can the bloating be felt?
Bloating caused due to food intolerance or hormone fluctuation can probably ease in a few hours. Although, some lifestyle changes can help relieve or prevent bloating altogether.
- Reduce the intake of beverages or carbonated drinks
- Avoid eating food or vegetables, causing gas like cabbage, lentils, dry beans, etc.
- Don’t eat too fast
- Avoid drinking with a straw
- If you are lactose intolerant, use plant-based products with no lactose.
- Don’t chew gum.
- Eat peppermint
- Drink plenty of water
When to seek medical attention?
Rarely but bloating can sometimes be a reason for something serious. Seek medical attention if you experience:
o Bloating is associated with fever
o Blood in stool
o Intense pain
o swelling in the abdomen rapidly
o Liver or kidney failure
What is ICD 10?
ICD stands for International Classification of Diseases. ICD 10 is the 10th edition of the ICD coding system and is published by the World Health Organization (WHO). Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) created the U.S. version of ICD 10 guidelines. This coding system comprises two medical code sets:
-ICD-10-CM – International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification
-ICD-10-PCS – International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Procedure Coding System.
International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) is one of the common coding systems. It is maintained by the World Health Organization (WHO). ICD-10 is the tenth revision of this coding system.
Physicians and healthcare providers use ICD-10-CM to code symptoms, diagnoses, and procedures. This coding system is used together with hospital care provided in the United States. ICD-10-CM 2022 coding system comprises about 21 Chapters. Chapter 18 of the ICD-10-CM coding system contains codes ranging from R00 to R99. This chapter is called “Symptoms, signs, and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified.” R14.0 is the ICD-10-CM 2022 code for Abdominal Distension (Gaseous). This ICD 10 code is also applicable for bloating and Tympanites (abdominal) (intestinal). There are specific guidelines for coding with ICD-10-CM codes.
ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines 2022:
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) provided the 2022 ICD-10-CM coding guidelines. These guidelines are for coding and reporting in healthcare using the ICD-10-CM coding system. CMS and NCHS are departments within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) – a U.S. Federal Government department. These guidelines have been approved by four of the Cooperating Parties for the ICD-10-CM coding system. They include:
-American Hospital Association (AHA)
-National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
-Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
-American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
Importance of ICD-10-CM coding guidelines:
For a medical coder, coding guidelines are like a rulebook. In order to do the coding properly, following the official guidelines for ICD-10-CM is important. The purpose and usefulness of this data for reporting are ensured if everyone is following the provided guidelines.
Providers can have a better chance of winning the appeal. If they provide complete documentation, medical records (medical necessity), and coding guidelines in support of the codes applied. Following these guidelines can also help the providers with appealing claim denials.
Structure of ICD 10 codes:
ICD 10 codes comprise 3 to 7 characters, with the code beginning with an alphabet. For instance, the ICD 10 code for ABD bloating (abdominal distension) is R14.0. The ICD 10 codes provide more detailed classification and specificity than ICD-9-CM. With this greater specificity of the codes, the provider and insurance payers can track patients’ information using the ICD 10 codes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is ICD 10 code for bloating in medical billing?
R14.0 is the ICD-10-CM 2022 code for Abdominal Distension (Gaseous). This ICD 10 code is also applicable for bloating and Tympanites (abdominal) (intestinal). R14.0 is a billable or specific code; therefore, it can be used for indicating a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The approximate synonym for R14.0 includes Abdominal Bloating.
What is the common ICD 10 code for bloating errors?
R14.0 is the ICD-10-CM 2022 code for Abdominal bloating and is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Following the official coding guidelines for this ICD 10 code is important to avoid denials. Another common error may include using outdated or incorrect code, resulting in the claim being denied or rejected.
What is the denial ICD 10 code for bloating?
The ICD 10 code for bloating is R14.0, which falls under R14 of Flatulence and related conditions. Denial codes provide the healthcare provider or patient with information on “why” the claim was denied. There can be several reasons for claim denials like wrong code, wrong modifier, incomplete information, etc.
What does the ICD 10 code for bloating mean?
R14.0 is the ICD-10-CM 2022 code for Abdominal Distension (Gaseous). 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM code; R14.0 for bloating has been effective since October 1st, 2021. The coding and reporting guidelines for ICD-10-CM will be valid from October 1st, 2021, till September 30th, 2022. ICD 10 code for bloating falls under Chapter 18 of the ICD-10-CM coding system.
R14.0 ICD-10-CM code is applicable for:
– Bloating
– Tympanites (abdominal) (intestinal)
References:
https://www.cms.gov/files/document/2021-coding-guidelines-updated-12162020.pdf
https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/R00-R99/R10-R19/R14-/R14.0
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