K51.311
BillableUlcerative (chronic) rectosigmoiditis with rectal bleeding
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
Chronic inflammation with ulcers in the rectum and sigmoid colon that is causing bleeding from the rectum.
Coding Tips
- •Verify rectal bleeding is documented and attributed to the ulcerative rectosigmoiditis
- •This is a common complication; ensure bleeding is specifically noted in the record
Clinical Significance
Ulcerative rectosigmoiditis with rectal bleeding indicates active hemorrhagic complication of inflammation in the rectum and sigmoid colon. Bleeding from this anatomic distribution is a common manifestation of disease flare and may require treatment escalation, iron supplementation, or transfusion in severe cases.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Confirmed ulcerative colitis involving rectum and sigmoid colon
- ✓Documentation of rectal bleeding including frequency and severity
- ✓Provider attribution of bleeding to the rectosigmoiditis
- ✓Laboratory values (hemoglobin, hematocrit) if clinically significant bleeding
- ✓Treatment plan addressing active disease and bleeding
- ✓Disease activity assessment
Commonly Confused Codes
K51.311 vs K51.011 — K51.011 is pancolitis with rectal bleeding (entire colon); rectosigmoiditis is more limitedK51.311 vs K51.211 — K51.211 is proctitis with rectal bleeding (rectum only)K51.311 vs K51.511 — K51.511 is left-sided colitis with rectal bleeding (extends to descending colon)K51.311 vs K62.5 — K62.5 is hemorrhage of anus and rectum without inflammatory bowel disease
Code Hierarchy
└K51Ulcerative colitis└K51.3Ulcerative (chronic) rectosigmoiditis└K51.31Ulcerative (chronic) rectosigmoiditis with complications└K51.311Ulcerative (chronic) rectosigmoiditis with rectal bleeding
└K51.311Ulcerative (chronic) rectosigmoiditis with rectal bleeding