ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR10.811

R10.811

Right upper quadrant abdominal tenderness

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 R10.811 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of right upper quadrant abdominal tenderness.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Right upper quadrant abdominal tenderness (R10.811) refers to localized pain or discomfort in the upper right section of the abdomen, which may indicate underlying pathology. This symptom can arise from various conditions affecting the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, or gastrointestinal tract. Common causes include cholecystitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, and peptic ulcer disease. Patients may present with additional symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, or jaundice, which can aid in diagnosis. Physical examination often reveals tenderness upon palpation in the right upper quadrant, and this finding can be corroborated with imaging studies like ultrasound or CT scans. Laboratory tests may show elevated liver enzymes, bilirubin levels, or signs of infection. Accurate documentation of the tenderness, associated symptoms, and clinical findings is crucial for proper coding and management of the underlying condition.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of potential underlying conditions
  • Need for detailed clinical documentation
  • Differentiation from other abdominal pain codes
  • Potential for overlapping symptoms with other diagnoses

Audit Risk Factors

  • Insufficient documentation of clinical findings
  • Failure to link tenderness to a specific diagnosis
  • Inconsistent coding of associated symptoms
  • Misinterpretation of abdominal pain location

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed history and physical examination findings, including duration and severity of tenderness, associated symptoms, and any relevant lab or imaging results.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with right upper quadrant pain due to liver disease, gallbladder issues, or gastrointestinal disorders.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that the documentation clearly states the location of tenderness and any differential diagnoses considered.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care documentation must include vital signs, a thorough physical exam, and any immediate interventions or treatments provided.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Acute presentations of cholecystitis or pancreatitis requiring urgent evaluation.

Billing Considerations

Document any imaging studies performed and their results, as well as the patient's response to treatment.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R10.811 When
  • Follow the official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the code is used only when right upper quadrant tenderness is documented and linked to a clinical diagnosis
  • Avoid using this code for generalized abdominal pain without specific localization

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R10.811 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

99283CPT Code

Emergency department visit, moderate severity

Clinical Scenario

Used when a patient presents with right upper quadrant tenderness and requires moderate complexity evaluation.

Documentation Requirements

Document the reason for the visit, examination findings, and any treatments provided.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine documentation must reflect the acute nature of the visit.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of symptoms like right upper quadrant tenderness, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of symptoms like right upper quadrant tenderness, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use R10.811?

Use R10.811 when a patient presents with documented tenderness in the right upper quadrant, and ensure it is linked to a specific diagnosis.