Ulcerative colitis, unspecified with rectal bleeding

This code signifies a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis where the specific type or extent of the condition is not documented, and the patient is experiencing rectal bleeding. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting the large intestine.

This code is appropriate when the physician's documentation confirms ulcerative colitis and rectal bleeding, but does not specify the disease's extent (e.g., pancolitis, proctitis). It should be used when the medical record clearly indicates the presence of both conditions without further detail regarding the colitis subtype.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "unspecified" ulcerative colitis or lacks detail regarding its anatomical extent.
• Do not use this code if a more specific type of ulcerative colitis (e.g., K51.011 for pancolitis with rectal bleeding) is documented.
• Verify that rectal bleeding is clearly documented as a current symptom or complication of the ulcerative colitis.