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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR10.1

R10.1

Pain localized to upper abdomen

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

Code Description

ICD-10 R10.1 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of pain localized to upper abdomen.

Key Diagnostic Point:

R10.1 refers to pain that is specifically localized to the upper abdomen, which can be indicative of various underlying conditions. This type of pain may arise from gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, or even musculoskeletal sources. Common symptoms accompanying upper abdominal pain include nausea, vomiting, and changes in bowel habits. Clinical evaluation often involves a thorough history and physical examination, focusing on the character, duration, and intensity of the pain, as well as associated symptoms. Laboratory tests such as liver function tests, complete blood count, and imaging studies like ultrasound or CT scans may be warranted to identify the underlying cause. Conditions such as peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are common causes of upper abdominal pain. Accurate coding requires careful documentation of the patient's symptoms, clinical findings, and any diagnostic tests performed.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of potential underlying causes
  • Need for detailed documentation of symptoms
  • Differentiation from similar codes
  • Potential for overlapping symptoms with other diagnoses

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the pain's characteristics
  • Failure to specify associated symptoms
  • Misclassification of pain location
  • Lack of supporting diagnostic tests

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed history of present illness, including onset, duration, and character of pain, along with associated symptoms.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with chronic upper abdominal pain, often requiring differential diagnosis for conditions like GERD or peptic ulcers.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of comorbidities that may complicate the clinical picture, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care documentation must include vital signs, pain assessment, and any immediate interventions or treatments provided.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with acute onset of upper abdominal pain, potentially indicating conditions like acute pancreatitis or perforated ulcer.

Billing Considerations

Rapid assessment and documentation are crucial due to the potential for life-threatening conditions.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R10.1 When
  • Follow the official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the code is used only when the pain is specifically localized to the upper abdomen and not due to other specified conditions

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R10.1 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

99213CPT Code

Established patient office visit, Level 3

Clinical Scenario

Used when a patient presents for evaluation of upper abdominal pain.

Documentation Requirements

Document history, examination findings, and medical decision-making.

Specialty Considerations

Internal medicine may require more detailed documentation compared to urgent care settings.

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 upper abdominal pain, 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 upper abdominal pain, 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

What should be documented to support the use of R10.1?

Document the location, character, and duration of the pain, any associated symptoms, and results of any diagnostic tests performed.