Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system causing symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. All symptoms of IBS must be documented with correct ICD-10 codes to prevent claim denials.

1. www.outsourcestrategies.com Phone: 1-800-670-2809
Medical Coding
for
Irritable Bowel
Syndrome
Accurate assessment and
documentation of gun shot wounds
helps physician and nurse to
develop a comprehensive plan of
care.
Outsource Strategies International
8596 E. 101st Street, Suite H
Tulsa, OK 74133

2. www.outsourcestrategies.com Phone: 1-800-670-2809
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastro-intestinal disorder that
affects the digestive system, particularly the large intestine. It is a serious
condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract, resulting in severe
complications. Reports suggest that IBS affects about 45 million people in
the United States. Women are almost twice as likely to develop this
condition as men. Abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, constipation and
excess gas are all typical symptoms of this disorder. Irritable bowel
syndrome usually can be a life-long problem that is very frustrating to live
with, and can cause significant distress and affect people's everyday lives.
There is no known cure for IBS. But, complementary health practices along
with medications and counseling can often help control the symptoms.
Gastroenterologists or IBS specialists who interact with patients use a
number of different medications as part of the treatment which help relieve
abdominal cramping and constipation. Documenting this disorder requires
correct coding of all prominent symptoms and the treatment provided. A
clear understanding of this disease is crucial for the coding team to provide
accurate medical coding services.
Let us take a look at the causes, risk factors, and diagnosis and
documentation guidelines for this abdominal disorder, along with the
associated ICD-10 codes.
What Causes IBS?
IBS occurs more often in women than in men, and the onset occurs before
the age of 35 years (in almost half of the cases). The exact causes of this
disorder is unknown, but several factors appear to play a crucial role –
• Muscle contractions in the intestine
• Inflammation in the intestines
• Severe bacterial infections in your digestive tract
• Food intolerances or sensitivities

3. www.outsourcestrategies.com Phone: 1-800-670-2809
• Hormonal changes
• Changes in bacteria in the gut (microflora)
• Abnormalities in the digestive system
In addition, stress and a family history of IBS can also cause this chronic
disorder.
Risk Factors
Most people experience occasional signs and symptoms of irritable bowel
syndrome. However, the risk factors of getting this condition can potentially
increase for people who are – young, female, with a family history of IBS
and with a mental health problem.
Diagnosis and Documentation of Bowel Syndrome
There are no specific lab tests that can diagnose irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS). This condition is called a diagnosis of exclusion, which means a
physician may first consider many other alternatives and then perform tests
to rule out other medical problems. Physicians may evaluate patient medical
history and conduct physical exam and other tests to rule out other
conditions. For instance, if a patient has IBS with diarrhea, he/she will be
tested for gluten intolerance (celiac disease). Several diagnostic imaging
studies such as - flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, X-rays and CT scans
may be recommended. In addition, laboratory tests such as lactose
intolerance tests, upper endoscopy, stool tests and breath test for bacterial
overgrowth will be conducted to test for infection or problems with your
intestine.
Treatment for IBS mainly focuses on reducing symptoms and understanding
risk factors so that people can live their life as normal as possible. Accurately
diagnosing the condition and submitting proper clinical documentation helps
in promoting error-free billing practices. Relying on the services of a

4. www.outsourcestrategies.com Phone: 1-800-670-2809
professional medical coding company can ensure this. ICD-10 codes for
diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome include -
• K58 - Irritable bowel syndrome
• K58.0 - Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea
• K58.1 - Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation
• K58.2 - Mixed irritable bowel syndrome
• K58.8 - Other irritable bowel syndrome
• K58.9 - Irritable bowel syndrome without diarrhea
As there is no known cure for IBS, the only option is to effectively manage
the symptoms. Mild signs and symptoms can be often controlled by
managing stress and by making changes in your diet and lifestyle habits.
Managing gastroenterology medical billing, collections and medical
coding changes is much easier for gastroenterologists who partner with an
experienced medical billing and coding service provider. This will help
them to effectively meet their claim submission tasks and ensure optimal
reimbursement.
Vitamin D Supplements May Ease Painful IBS Symptoms – Finds
Study
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and functional disorder of the
gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is estimated that about 12 percent Americans
get affected by this disorder and women are more likely to develop this
condition than men. A new study has found that regular consumption of
Vitamin D supplements could help reduce the painful symptoms of IBS as
well as improve the quality of the patient’s life.
The study was conducted by the Department of Oncology and Metabolism at
the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom and the results were
published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (January 25, 2018

5. www.outsourcestrategies.com Phone: 1-800-670-2809
edition). The study conducted showed a high prevalence of Vitamin D
deficiency among IBS patients. Low Vitamin D status has already been
associated with the risk of colorectal cancer and has been implicated in
inflammatory bowel disease.
As part of the study, researchers assessed the possible benefits of Vitamin D
supplements on IBS symptoms. It was found that the supplements may help
reduce some of the prominent symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating,
diarrhea and constipation. On the other hand, it was also shown to have the
maximum benefit on the quality of life in IBS patients.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a severely misunderstood condition which
potentially impacts the quality of life of patients. There is no single known
cause and likewise no single known cure for this disorder. The above study
provides a new insight in to the possible ways of effectively managing the
condition. The study findings indicate that IBS patients need to get their
Vitamin D levels tested regularly and a large majority of them may benefit
from consuming these supplements.