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 CodesR10.813

R10.813

Right lower quadrant abdominal tenderness

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

Code Description

ICD-10 R10.813 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of right lower quadrant abdominal tenderness.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Right lower quadrant abdominal tenderness is a clinical finding characterized by pain or discomfort localized to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. This symptom can arise from various underlying conditions, including appendicitis, ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, and gastrointestinal disorders such as diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease. The tenderness may be elicited during physical examination, often accompanied by other signs such as guarding, rebound tenderness, or abdominal rigidity. Laboratory findings may include elevated white blood cell counts, indicating infection or inflammation, and imaging studies like ultrasound or CT scans may be utilized to identify the underlying cause. Accurate documentation of the tenderness, associated symptoms, and any relevant clinical findings is crucial for appropriate coding and management of the patient's condition.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

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

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the clinical findings
  • Failure to specify the underlying cause of tenderness
  • Misuse of related codes leading to upcoding or downcoding
  • Lack of clarity in the physician's notes regarding the assessment

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed history of present illness, physical examination findings, and any relevant lab or imaging results.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with abdominal pain, requiring evaluation for gastrointestinal or genitourinary issues.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that the documentation clearly outlines the reason for the tenderness and any associated symptoms.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care documentation must include a rapid assessment of the patient's condition, vital signs, and immediate interventions.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with acute abdominal pain requiring urgent evaluation for conditions like appendicitis or ectopic pregnancy.

Billing Considerations

Document the time of onset of symptoms and any changes in the patient's condition during the emergency visit.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R10.813 When
  • Follow the official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the code is used only when the symptom of right lower quadrant tenderness is documented and not as a primary diagnosis without an underlying condition

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R10.813 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

99283CPT Code

Emergency department visit, moderate complexity

Clinical Scenario

Used when a patient presents with right lower quadrant tenderness requiring moderate complexity evaluation.

Documentation Requirements

Document the patient's history, examination findings, and any diagnostic tests performed.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine providers should ensure timely documentation due to the acute nature of presentations.

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 lower quadrant tenderness, improving the granularity of data for clinical and billing purposes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of symptoms like right lower quadrant tenderness, improving the granularity of data for clinical and billing purposes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

billing purposes.

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 R10.813?

Use R10.813 when a patient presents with documented tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, ensuring that the clinical context is clear and any underlying conditions are noted.