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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR17

R17

Unspecified jaundice

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

Code Description

ICD-10 R17 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of unspecified jaundice.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Unspecified jaundice (ICD-10 code R17) refers to a clinical condition characterized by the yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and the sclera of the eyes due to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood. This condition can arise from various underlying causes, including liver disease, hemolysis, or biliary obstruction. The term 'unspecified' indicates that the exact etiology of the jaundice has not been determined at the time of coding. Clinically, patients may present with symptoms such as fatigue, dark urine, pale stools, and pruritus. Laboratory findings typically include elevated serum bilirubin levels, with potential alterations in liver function tests. Accurate diagnosis requires a thorough clinical evaluation, including history-taking, physical examination, and appropriate laboratory investigations to identify the underlying cause of jaundice. Given the broad differential diagnosis, it is crucial for healthcare providers to document all relevant findings to support the use of this code.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of potential underlying causes
  • Need for comprehensive documentation
  • Differentiation from other types of jaundice
  • Potential for misclassification

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of clinical findings
  • Failure to specify the underlying cause
  • Misuse of unspecified codes
  • Inconsistent coding across encounters

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed history of present illness, physical examination findings, and results of laboratory tests.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with fatigue and jaundice, requiring evaluation for liver disease.

Billing Considerations

Ensure all relevant lab results and imaging studies are documented to support the diagnosis.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care notes, including vital signs, initial lab results, and any immediate interventions.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with acute jaundice and abdominal pain, necessitating rapid assessment.

Billing Considerations

Document the acute nature of the presentation and any differential diagnoses considered.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R17 When
  • Follow the official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the code is used only when the underlying cause of jaundice is not specified
  • Documentation must support the use of R17, including clinical findings and any diagnostic tests performed

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R17 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

80076CPT Code

Bilirubin, total and direct

Clinical Scenario

When evaluating a patient with jaundice to assess bilirubin levels.

Documentation Requirements

Document the reason for the test and any relevant clinical findings.

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the test results are linked to the diagnosis of jaundice.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding, but R17 remains a common code due to the complexity of diagnosing jaundice. Coders must ensure that they are using this code appropriately and that documentation supports its use.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding, but R17 remains a common code due to the complexity of diagnosing jaundice. Coders must ensure that they are using this code appropriately and that documentation supports its use.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement.

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 R17 instead of a more specific jaundice code?

Use R17 when the underlying cause of jaundice is not determined at the time of coding. If a specific etiology is identified, use the appropriate code that reflects that diagnosis.