Chronic Constipation ICD-10-CM Codes

What are Chronic Constipation ICD-10-CM Codes?

If you’re looking for chronic constipation ICD codes you can use, here are some that you can use:

• K59.09 - Other constipation: This code is used for types of constipation that do not have more specific codes, including slow transit constipation, outlet dysfunction constipation, and drug-induced constipation
• K59.04 - Chronic idiopathic constipation: This code is used when constipation does not fall into specific categories is correct. It serves as a catch-all for constipation types without dedicated codes.
• K59.00 - Constipation, unspecified: This code is used when constipation is confirmed but the type is unspecified. It can be used for chronic constipation if no further diagnosis or specification is documented, including cases of functional constipation, opioid induced constipation, or systemic causes.

Are these chronic constipation ICD codes billable?

Yes. All three mentioned above chronic constipation-related ICD-10 codes are valid and billable examples used by providers during clinical encounters.

Clinical information

Constipation is a condition that everyone will likely experience in their lives. When a person is constipated, they will have a difficult time pooping (regularly) and bowel movement. Even if someone has trouble pooping, that doesn't mean a constipated patient cannot poop. They do, and what they release is often hard and dry, and they can either be unusually large or small. If the stool is large, some constipated people might feel a little pain while pooping it out, especially in cases of fecal impaction, rectal prolapse, or spasm of the colon.

In the case of this mini-guide, patients' constipation is chronic, meaning they consistently become constipated now and then, even with enough exercise, fiber-rich diet, or medications for treatment of opioid or drug-induced constipation.

A constipated person will likely have the following symptoms besides the few we mentioned above:

• They only poop three times a week or less
• They will feel bloated and, by extension, nauseated
• They might have stomachaches and cramps
• They may feel incomplete defecation or experience painful attempts at defecation

Synonyms include

• Constipation due to neurogenic bowel
• Constipation due to spasm of colon
• Drug-induced constipation
• Perceived constipation
• Simple constipation
• Therapeutic opioid-induced constipation

Other related codes

Additional related constipation codes (not strictly chronic but relevant) include:

• K59.01 - Slow transit constipation (chronic type characterized by infrequent stools difficult to pass)
• K59.02 - Outlet dysfunction constipation

These are also billable and describe specific constipation subtypes