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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesSymptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomenICD-10-CM r15-fecal-incontinence
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Fecal Incontinence: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group R15 includes codes for fecal incontinence, specifying types such as fecal urgency, soiling, and unspecified fecal incontinence related to anorectal dysfunction or neurologic causes. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical scenarios involving involuntary stool passage, chronicity, and associated symptoms, capturing disease severity and functional impact. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM R15 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM R15: Fecal Incontinence Overview

    The diagnoses in this group represent involuntary loss of stool due to dysfunction of the anorectal sphincter, neurologic impairment, or other gastrointestinal causes and affect continence of the lower gastrointestinal tract. These codes target symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen, specifically fecal leakage and related presentations. Accurate coding matters for reimbursement because it documents clinical severity, guides claim adjudication, and supports appropriate care planning.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a patient presents with involuntary passage of stool, fecal soiling, or fecal urgency documented by the clinician. Select the most specific code that reflects the type and circumstances of the incontinence, including chronicity or associated neurologic or anorectal conditions.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    4 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    R15.0Incomplete defecation
    R15.1Fecal smearing
    R15.2Fecal urgency
    R15.9Full incontinence of feces

    DRG Codes

    2 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    391Esophagitis, Gastroenteritis and Miscellaneous Digestive Disorders with MCC
    392Esophagitis, Gastroenteritis and Miscellaneous Digestive Disorders without MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An elderly nursing home resident with progressive dementia is brought to the outpatient clinic because caregivers report persistent involuntary passage of stool for several weeks, with soiling of clothes despite toileting schedules and no acute abdominal pain or bleeding. The problem is an ongoing functional loss of bowel control related to neurologic decline and frailty, prompting assessment and documentation of fecal incontinence as an active chronic issue. Typical codes: R15.1, R15.9
    • A middle-aged patient presents to the emergency department after an acute onset of profuse watery diarrhea for two days followed by sudden uncontrolled bowel leakage and perianal skin soreness; vitals are stable but the patient is distressed and requires immediate hygiene and containment measures. Because the fecal loss is a new, uncontrolled symptom occurring in the acute setting secondary to the diarrheal illness, a fecal incontinence diagnosis from the group is assigned to capture the presenting symptom. Typical codes: R15.0, R15.9
    • A post-abdominal surgery hospitalized patient develops accidental passage of stool while immobile and recovering, complicating wound care and increasing risk for skin breakdown; staff document recurrent soiling despite scheduled bowel regimen. In this inpatient postoperative context where bowel control impairment affects recovery and care needs, a fecal incontinence code is used as a comorbidity impacting management and nursing care. Typical codes: R15.2, R15.9

    Related Codes

    R10-ABDOMINAL-AND-PELVIC-PAIN

    ICD-10-CM Code For Abdominal And Pelvic Pain: Group Overview

    R11-NAUSEA-AND-VOMITING

    ICD-10-CM Code For Nausea And Vomiting: Group Overview

    R12-HEARTBURN

    ICD-10-CM Code For Heartburn: Group Overview

    R13-APHAGIA-AND-DYSPHAGIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Aphagia And Dysphagia: Group Overview

    R14-FLATULENCE-AND-RELATED-CONDITIONS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Flatulence And Related Conditions: Group Overview

    R16-HEPATOMEGALY-AND-SPLENOMEGALY

    ICD-10-CM Code For Hepatomegaly And Splenomegaly Not Elsewhere Classified: Group Overview

    R17-UNSPECIFIED-JAUNDICE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Unspecified Jaundice: Group Overview

    R18-ASCITES

    ICD-10-CM Code For Ascites: Group Overview

    R19-OTHER-SYMPTOMS-AND-SIGNS-DIGESTIVE-SYSTEM

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Symptoms And Signs Involving The Digestive System And Abdomen: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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