Home Coding Cholelithiasis
Cracking the Code
Coding Cholelithiasis
- Published on January 19, 2023
Cholelithiasis is the presence of one or more gallstones (calculi) in the gallbladder. The codes describe a calculus of the gallbladder with different types of cholecystitis, e.g., acute, chronic, or both, or without cholecystitis and with or without obstruction. The obstruction is usually a calculus that has lodged in the neck of the gallbladder or the cystic duct. Code selection identifies the presence or absence of an obstruction.
About 80% of people with gallstones are asymptomatic. The remainder has symptoms ranging from a characteristic type of pain (biliary colic) to cholecystitis to life-threatening cholangitis. Biliary colic is the most common symptom.
We may see combination coding when supported by documentation while coding Cholelithiasis content. We can find guidelines for combination coding in the I.B.9 in the FY2023 ICD-10-CM Guidelines.