ICD 9 Code for Abdominal Pain

Medical billing and coding are facilitated with a standardized system of thousands of codes called ICD 9 codes that identify various symptoms and diseases, as well as injuries.

For example, 789.0 is the ICD 9 code for abdominal pain.

However, this is only a baseline for generalized, unspecified or undiagnosed abdominal pain.

When aiming to more acutely describe the type and possibly source of abdominal pain, this code is modified based on specific details of the symptoms gleaned from the patient.

ICD 9 Code Specifications for Different Types of Abdominal Pain

The specific description of this baseline ICD 9 code for abdominal pain of 789.0 is quite simply, “cramps, abdominal”.

Now here are some of the common specifications of this baseline ICD 9 code.

346.2 is the ICD 9 code for the pain of the abdomen that involves migraines.

789.0 is the ICD 9 code for any type of abdominal distress, including lower abdominal or epigastric pain.

789.7 is the ICD 9 code for recurring abdominal pain in a colicky infant.

729.82 is the ICD 9 code for simple, generalized abdominal cramping.

781.0 is the ICD 9 code for abdominal spasticity of any sort, as well as spasmodic conditions involving the colon.

Abdominal Pain Specifications Described as 789.0

In addition, the ICD 9 code for pelvic pain in females is 625.9 and pelvic pain in males is either 307.89 or 789.0, for psychogenic or non-psychogenic male pelvic pain, respectively.

The baseline abdominal pain ICD 9 code of 789.0 is also used to describe pain in the cecum, colon, flank, or groin.

It’s used to identify abdominal pain that involves some sort of muscular deficiency.

This baseline ICD 9 code of 789.0 is also used to describe pain in the viscera of the abdomen, which includes the intestines, stomach, and suprarenal gland; the liver, pancreas, and biliary (bile) system; and the ureters, kidneys, and spleen.

ICD 10 Codes Replace ICD 9 Codes

More recently a newer innovation in coding, ICD 10 codes, have begun replacing ICD 9 codes like these.

Among other differences, the ICD 10 codes identify abdominal pain in a completely different way than ICD 9 codes.

Like 789.0 is the baseline ICD 9 code for the pain of the abdomen, R10 is the baseline ICD 10 code for abdominal pain.

It’s also the baseline, unlike the ICD 9 code of 789.0, however, the ICD 10 code of R10 is also used to describe pelvic pain, specifically R10.2.

As distinct from R10, the ICD 10 code of R10.0 is used to identify acute abdominal pain, with the exception of acute abdominal pain localized in the upper region of the abdomen, which is identified using the ICD 10 code of R10.1.

Pain in the abdomen’s upper right quadrant, meanwhile, is described with the ICD 10 code of R10.11, while the pain in the abdomen’s upper left quadrant is described with the ICD 10 code of R10.12.

Epigastric abdominal pain is identified by the ICD 10 code of R10.13.

Meanwhile, R10.2 describes perineal or pelvic pain, while R10.3 describes localized pain in any other part of the lower abdomen.

R10.8 is used to identify other forms of abdominal pain not described by an ICD 10 code in these other ranges.

R10.81 identifies abdominal tenderness, while R10.82 identifies rebound abdominal tenderness.

R10.83 identifies colic. R10.84 identifies generalized abdominal pain.

R10.9 identifies unspecified pain of the abdomen.

How ICD 10 Codes are Used to Identify Abdominal Pain

Here are some other examples of how ICD 10 codes can be used to define abdominal pain:

• N23 identifies Type 1 abdominal pain, with the exception of renal colic.
• M54 identifies Type 2 abdominal pain, with the exception of dorsalgia.
• R14 identifies Type 2 abdominal pain, with the exception of flatulence and related concerns.

Perineal and pelvic pain are identified using the ICD 10 code of R10.2.

Pain localized in the lower abdomen is described with the ICD 10 code of R10.3, while an unspecified pain in the lower abdomen is described with the ICD 10 code of R10.30.

Pain in the abdomen’s lower right quadrant is identified by the ICD 10 code of R10.31 while the pain in the abdomen’s lower left quadrant is identified by the ICD 10 code of R10.32.

The facts in this article are provided purely for information purposes.

If you are experiencing abdominal pain, pelvic pain, or perineal pain of any form, see a doctor immediately.