K51.019
BillableUlcerative (chronic) pancolitis with unspecified complications
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 81 — Ulcerative Colitis
0.000V24HCC 35 — Inflammatory Bowel Disease
0.289ESRDHCC 35 — Inflammatory Bowel Disease
0.000RxHCCHCC 67 — Inflammatory Bowel Disease
0.000What This Code Means
A chronic inflammatory condition affecting the entire colon with complications that are not specified or documented in detail. This is a less specific code used when the type of complication is unclear.
Coding Tips
- •Avoid using this code when the specific complication can be identified; query the provider for clarification
- •Use only when documentation is insufficient to determine the exact nature of the complication
Clinical Significance
Ulcerative pancolitis with unspecified complications indicates the provider documented complications but did not specify the type. This code should prompt a query to the provider for clarification, as more specific coding improves clinical data quality and may affect risk adjustment accuracy.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Confirmed diagnosis of ulcerative colitis with pancolitis
- ✓Provider acknowledgment that complications exist, even if not fully specified
- ✓Query to the provider for complication specification should be documented
- ✓Treatment plan that addresses both the colitis and the unspecified complication
- ✓Disease severity and activity level assessment
Commonly Confused Codes
K51.019 vs K51.018 — K51.018 is for identified 'other' complications; K51.019 is when the complication type is truly unknownK51.019 vs K51.011-K51.014 — Always use the specific complication code when the type of complication is documentedK51.019 vs K51.00 — K51.00 is without complications; do not use K51.019 as a substitute for the uncomplicated code
Code Hierarchy
└K51Ulcerative colitis└K51.0Ulcerative (chronic) pancolitis└K51.01Ulcerative (chronic) pancolitis with complications└K51.019Ulcerative (chronic) pancolitis with unspecified complications
└K51.019Ulcerative (chronic) pancolitis with unspecified complications