Chronic Constipation ICD-10-CM Codes

Read this short guide and learn about chronic constipation ICD codes you can use.

By Olivia Sayson on Jun 16, 2024.

Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.

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Table of content

What chronic constipation ICD codes can I use?Are these chronic constipation ICD codes billable?Clinical information about chronic constipation Synonyms include FAQS

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What chronic constipation ICD codes can I use?

If you’re looking for chronic constipation ICD codes you can use, we’d like you to know that there are only three to pick from! Here they are:

K59.00 - Constipation, unspecified

This ICD-10 is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to be constipated. This is for constipation in general, hence the unspecified. You may use this code if the patient has chronic constipation.

K59.04 - Chronic idiopathic constipation

This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to have chronic idiopathic constipation, meaning they consistently become constipated. Still, the cause for this chronic idiopathic constipation is unknown (hence idiopathic).

K59.09 - Other constipation

This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to have some kind of constipation. There are different kinds, like slow transit constipation, outlet dysfunction constipation, and drug-induced constipation. These have specific ICD-10 codes. This ICD-10 code is meant for types of constipation that don’t have specific ICD-10 codes. There are no specific codes for just a general type of chronic constipation. There’s only one for the idiopathic kind (Item 2), so you may use this—all the more if constipation has an added characteristic like chronic constipation with overflow.

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Are these chronic constipation ICD codes billable?

Yes. All three mentioned above chronic constipation-related ICD-10 codes are valid and billable.

Clinical information about chronic constipation:

Constipation is a condition that everyone will likely experience in their lives. When a person is constipated, they will have a difficult time pooping (regularly) and emptying their bowels. Even if someone has trouble pooping, that doesn’t mean a constipated person cannot poop. They do, and what they release is often hard and dry, and they can either be unusually large or small. If the poop is large, some constipated people might feel a little pain while pooping it out.

In the case of this mini-guide, patients' constipation is chronic, meaning they consistently become constipated now and then.

A constipated person will likely have the following symptoms besides the few we mentioned above:

They only poop three times a week or less
They will feel bloated and, by extension, nauseated
They might have stomachaches and cramps

Synonyms include:

Constipation due to neurogenic bowel
Constipation due to spasm of colon
Drug-induced constipation
Perceived constipation
Simple constipation
Therapeutic opioid-induced constipation

Commonly asked questions

Are there no other ICD codes that mention chronic constipation in their names?

No. Just Item 2.

What can cause constipation?

It can be caused by lifestyle choices/factors. Examples include dieting with insufficient fiber content, not drinking enough water, consuming a lot of cheese and milk, and not exercising. Certain medications and conditions can also cause it.

How is constipation treated/managed?

Given its possible causes, the best way to treat/manage/avoid constipation is to hydrate, avoid processed food, have a balanced diet with enough fiber content, exercise, and use over-the-counter fiber supplements. One must also prevent holding off on pooping.

Hydrate, avoid processed food, exercise, add vegetables and fruits to your diet, add high-fiber foods, add over-the-counter fiber supplements, and avoid holding off on pooping.