Ulcerative colitis, unspecified, without complications

This code signifies a chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting the large intestine, characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the colon's lining. It indicates that the specific type of ulcerative colitis is not further specified, and there are no documented complications such as toxic megacolon, hemorrhage, or stricture.

Use this code when the medical record clearly states a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis without further specification of its extent (e.g., pancolitis, proctitis) or any associated complications. This code is appropriate when the provider has not documented the presence of complications or the specific anatomical location of the disease.

• Do not use this code if the documentation specifies the extent of the disease (e.g., K51.00 for pancolitis).
• Avoid this code if any complications of ulcerative colitis are present; instead, code the specific complication.
• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "unspecified" or lacks detail regarding extent and complications to support this code.