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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR39.12

R39.12

Poor urinary stream

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

Code Description

ICD-10 R39.12 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of poor urinary stream.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Poor urinary stream refers to a clinical symptom characterized by a weak or diminished flow of urine during micturition. This condition can manifest as difficulty initiating urination, a prolonged time to void, or a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying. It is often associated with various underlying conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men, urethral stricture, bladder outlet obstruction, or neurological disorders affecting bladder function. Patients may report straining to urinate, a decrease in the force of the urinary stream, or dribbling at the end of urination. The symptom can significantly impact quality of life, leading to urinary retention or recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Clinical evaluation typically involves a thorough history and physical examination, urinalysis, and possibly imaging studies or urodynamic testing to determine the underlying cause. Understanding the etiology of poor urinary stream is crucial for effective management and treatment.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of underlying causes requiring differential diagnosis
  • Potential overlap with other urinary symptoms
  • Need for comprehensive documentation of patient history
  • Variability in clinical presentation among different patient populations

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of patient symptoms and history
  • Failure to specify underlying conditions contributing to poor urinary stream
  • Misuse of related codes leading to incorrect coding
  • Lack of clarity in clinical notes regarding the severity and duration of symptoms

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed patient history, including duration and severity of symptoms, associated urinary symptoms, and any prior treatments.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with chronic urinary symptoms, often in older adults with potential BPH.

Billing Considerations

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

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute presentation documentation, including vital signs, acute symptoms, and any immediate interventions.

Common Clinical Scenarios

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

Billing Considerations

Rapid assessment and management of potential complications such as urinary tract infections or acute kidney injury.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R39.12 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, R39
  • 12 should be used when the symptom of poor urinary stream is documented without a more specific diagnosis
  • Coders should ensure that the symptom is not attributed to a known condition that has its own specific code

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R39.12 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

51798CPT Code

Urodynamics

Clinical Scenario

Used to evaluate bladder function in patients with poor urinary stream.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation of indications for urodynamic testing and results.

Specialty Considerations

Urology specialists often perform these tests to assess bladder outlet obstruction.

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 complexity of urinary disorders. R39.12 provides a distinct code for poor urinary stream, facilitating better tracking and management of this symptom in clinical practice.

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 complexity of urinary disorders. R39.12 provides a distinct code for poor urinary stream, facilitating better tracking and management of this symptom in clinical practice.

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

What should I document to support the use of R39.12?

Document the patient's symptoms, duration, severity, and any relevant medical history or findings that may contribute to the poor urinary stream. Include any diagnostic tests performed and their results.