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A04.71

Billable

Enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile, recurrent

This code does not map to an HCC category in any model (V28, V24, ESRD, RxHCC).

What This Code Means

This is a bacterial infection of the colon caused by Clostridium difficile that has occurred more than once in the same patient. The infection causes inflammation and diarrhea, typically following antibiotic use that disrupts normal gut bacteria.

Coding Tips

  • •Verify documentation clearly indicates this is a recurrent episode (not the initial occurrence) - recurrent C. difficile requires the specific A04.71 code rather than A04.70 for non-recurrent cases
  • •Ensure the diagnosis is supported by clinical findings such as diarrhea, positive C. difficile testing, or colonoscopy findings; document the timeline of previous episodes to support the 'recurrent' designation

Code Hierarchy

└A04Other bacterial intestinal infections└A04.7Enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile└A04.71Enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile, recurrent
└A04.71Enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile, recurrent

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