Hesitancy of micturition

This code describes difficulty initiating the urinary stream, characterized by a delay between the desire to void and the actual onset of urination. It indicates a functional impairment in the micturition reflex, often leading to prolonged effort during voiding.

Assign this code when documentation explicitly states "hesitancy of micturition," "urinary hesitancy," or "difficulty initiating urination." This is often seen in conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), neurogenic bladder, or urethral strictures. Supporting documentation should include patient complaints and physician notes detailing this specific urinary symptom.

• Do not use this code for general "urinary retention" without specific mention of hesitancy.
• Always code the underlying cause of the hesitancy, if known and documented, in addition to this symptom code.
• Differentiate from other voiding dysfunctions like weak stream or incomplete emptying, which have distinct codes.