Poor Oral Intake ICD-10-CM Codes

What ICD-10 codes are used for poor oral intake?

Poor oral intake is a common clinical condition that refers to a patient's inability or reduced ability to consume foods and fluids orally. 

Oftentimes, practitioners use R63.8: Other symptoms and signs concerning food and fluid intake, under the code range R00-R99: Symptoms, signs, and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified, as the ICD code for poor oral intake. If you or your fellow healthcare practitioners plan on using this code, note that it cannot be used as a principal diagnosis. 

However, in certain circumstances, they may also find that they may use other codes related to poor oral intake that have symptoms concerning food and fluid intake, such as: 

• R63.0: Anorexia
• R63.1: Polydipsia
• R63.2: Polyphagia
• R63.4: Changes in appetite
• R63.6: Abnormal weight gain

Which poor oral intake ICD codes are billable?

The ICD codes for or related to poor oral intake are billable. 

Clinical information

• Poor oral intake may result from various underlying physical and psychological conditions systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), anorexia nervosa, bulimia (NOS), etc. It's a common issue in palliative care patients. 
• If left unmanaged or untreated, poor oral intake can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, abnormal weight loss, and other health complications. 
• Patients who have poor oral intake may have general symptoms like weight loss and feeding difficulties.
• Determining the cause and severity of poor oral intake involves clinical evaluation, including checking one's medical history and conducting a physical examination.
• There are various methods to treat or manage poor oral intake in a patient, such as making dietary modifications, oral nutrition support, enteral tube feeding, and parenteral nutrition.

Synonyms include

• Inadequate oral intake
• Oral intake insufficiency
• Impaired oral nutrition
• Insufficient dietary intake
• Reduced oral food and fluid consumption