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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR39.11

R39.11

Hesitancy of micturition

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

Code Description

ICD-10 R39.11 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of hesitancy of micturition.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Hesitancy of micturition refers to the difficulty or delay in initiating urination. This symptom can be indicative of various underlying conditions affecting the urinary tract or bladder function. Patients may experience a sensation of needing to urinate but find it challenging to start the flow of urine. This condition can be associated with a range of symptoms including straining to urinate, a weak urine stream, or a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. Common causes include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men, urinary tract infections (UTIs), neurological disorders, and certain medications that affect bladder function. The clinical significance of hesitancy lies in its potential to indicate obstructive uropathy or other serious conditions, necessitating a thorough evaluation. Diagnosis typically involves a detailed patient history, physical examination, urinalysis, and possibly imaging studies or urodynamic testing to assess bladder function and rule out anatomical abnormalities.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of underlying causes that can lead to hesitancy
  • Need for comprehensive patient history and examination
  • Potential overlap with other urinary symptoms
  • Variability in documentation practices across specialties

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of patient history and symptoms
  • Failure to specify underlying causes or associated conditions
  • Misuse of related codes leading to incorrect coding
  • Lack of clarity in distinguishing between hesitancy and other urinary symptoms

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed patient history including onset, duration, and associated symptoms; physical examination findings; and any relevant lab results.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with urinary hesitancy due to BPH or urinary tract infections.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of comorbidities that may affect urinary function, such as diabetes or neurological disorders.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute assessment of urinary symptoms, including vital signs and immediate lab tests if indicated.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with acute urinary retention or severe discomfort due to hesitancy.

Billing Considerations

Rapid assessment and intervention may be necessary, particularly in cases of acute urinary retention.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R39.11 When
  • Follow official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the code is used only when the symptom is documented and not as a primary diagnosis unless specified
  • Ensure that the underlying cause is also documented when applicable

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R39.11 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

51798CPT Code

Urodynamics, complex

Clinical Scenario

Used when assessing bladder function in patients with hesitancy.

Documentation Requirements

Document indications for urodynamic testing and findings.

Specialty Considerations

Urology specialists often perform this procedure.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of urinary symptoms, improving the ability to capture the nuances of conditions like hesitancy of micturition, which may have been less clearly defined in ICD-9.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of urinary symptoms, improving the ability to capture the nuances of conditions like hesitancy of micturition, which may have been less clearly defined in ICD-9.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of urinary symptoms, improving the ability to capture the nuances of conditions like hesitancy of micturition, which may have been less clearly defined in ICD-9.

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 is the primary cause of hesitancy of micturition?

The primary cause of hesitancy of micturition is often benign prostatic hyperplasia in older males, but it can also be due to urinary tract infections, neurological disorders, or medication side effects.