K90.3
BillablePancreatic steatorrhea
HCC Category Mapping
RxHCCHCC 66 — Pancreatic Disease and Disorders
0.000What This Code Means
A condition where the pancreas cannot properly digest fats, resulting in fatty, oily stools and poor fat absorption in the body.
Coding Tips
- •Confirm pancreatic insufficiency is documented and distinguish from other causes of steatorrhea
- •Link to underlying pancreatic conditions (chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis) when present
Clinical Significance
Pancreatic steatorrhea indicates pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, a chronic condition requiring enzyme replacement therapy and careful nutritional monitoring. This condition significantly impacts quality of life and can lead to severe malnutrition if inadequately managed.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Evidence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency
- ✓Clinical presentation of steatorrhea (fatty, bulky stools)
- ✓Pancreatic function tests showing decreased enzyme activity
- ✓Fat malabsorption documented by laboratory studies
- ✓Imaging studies of pancreas if indicated
- ✓Response to pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy
- ✓Associated symptoms like abdominal pain or weight loss
- ✓Underlying pancreatic pathology if identified
Commonly Confused Codes
K86.81 — Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is the underlying condition causing steatorrheaK90.9 — Unspecified malabsorption doesn't specify pancreatic etiologyK85.- — Acute pancreatitis represents acute inflammation rather than chronic insufficiencyK86.1 — Other chronic pancreatitis may cause steatorrhea but is the underlying disease