2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R15Fecal incontinence

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R10-R19›R15

ICD-10-CM R15
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

R15 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for fecal incontinence, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as R15.0, R15.1, R15.2, and R15.9. As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R15
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Fecal incontinence
Short Description
Fecal incontinence
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
R10-R19
Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR10-R19Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen
CategoryR15Fecal incontinence
This CodeR15Fecal incontinence

Specific Coding for Fecal incontinenceOverview

Non-specific codes like R15 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use R15.0 for Incomplete defecation

  • Use R15.1 for Fecal smearing

  • Use R15.2 for Fecal urgency

  • Use R15.9 for Full incontinence of feces

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to R15: its own notes plus those printed at block R10-R19 and Chapter 18. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

  • encopresis NOS

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • fecal incontinence of nonorganic origin (F98.1)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Block R10-R19 Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen applies to 99 codes
  • congenital or infantile pylorospasm (Q40.0)
  • gastrointestinal hemorrhage (K92.0-K92.2)
  • intestinal obstruction (K56.-)
  • newborn gastrointestinal hemorrhage (P54.0-P54.3)
  • newborn intestinal obstruction (P76.-)
  • pylorospasm (K31.3)
  • signs and symptoms involving the urinary system (R30-R39)
  • symptoms referable to female genital organs (N94.-)
  • symptoms referable to male genital organs (N48-N50)
From Chapter 18 (R00-R99) Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified applies to 774 codes
  • abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • signs and symptoms classified in the body system chapters
  • signs and symptoms of breast (N63, N64.5)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 18 (R00-R99) Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified applies to 774 codes
  • This chapter includes symptoms, signs, abnormal results of clinical or other investigative procedures, and ill-defined conditions regarding which no diagnosis classifiable elsewhere is recorded.
  • Signs and symptoms that point rather definitely to a given diagnosis have been assigned to a category in other chapters of the classification. In general, categories in this chapter include the less well-defined conditions and symptoms that, without the necessary study of the case to establish a final diagnosis, point perhaps equally to two or more diseases or to two or more systems of the body. Practically all categories in the chapter could be designated 'not otherwise specified', 'unknown etiology' or 'transient'. The Alphabetical Index should be consulted to determine which symptoms and signs are to be allocated here and which to other chapters. The residual subcategories, numbered .8, are generally provided for other relevant symptoms that cannot be allocated elsewhere in the classification.
  • The conditions and signs or symptoms included in categories R00-R94 consist of:
  • (a) cases for which no more specific diagnosis can be made even after all the facts bearing on the case have been investigated;
  • (b) signs or symptoms existing at the time of initial encounter that proved to be transient and whose causes could not be determined;
  • (c) provisional diagnosis in a patient who failed to return for further investigation or care;
  • (d) cases referred elsewhere for investigation or treatment before the diagnosis was made;
  • (e) cases in which a more precise diagnosis was not available for any other reason;
  • (f) certain symptoms, for which supplementary information is provided, that represent important problems in medical care in their own right.

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name R15, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming R15: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • F98.1 Encopresis not due to a substance or known physiological condition
    encopresis NOS (R15.-)

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming R15: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • K62 Other diseases of anus and rectum
    fecal incontinence (R15.-)

Use Additional Code 3

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and R15 is one of the codes named.

  • K62.81 Anal sphincter tear (healed) (nontraumatic) (old)
    code for any associated fecal incontinence (R15.-)
  • K62.89 Other specified diseases of anus and rectum
    code for any associated fecal incontinence (R15.-)
  • N81.6 Rectocele
    code for any associated fecal incontinence, if applicable (R15.-)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Fecal Incontinence

    failure of voluntary control of the anal sphincters, with involuntary passage of feces and flatus.

Patient EducationClinical

Bowel Incontinence

Bowel incontinence is the inability to control your bowels. When you feel the urge to have a bowel movement, you may not be able to hold it until you get to a toilet. Millions of Americans have this problem. It affects people of all ages - children and adults. It is more common in women and older adults. It is not a normal part of aging.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About R15Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for fecal incontinence?

R15 is the ICD-10-CM category for fecal incontinence, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is R15 (Fecal incontinence) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for fecal incontinence, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for fecal incontinence need a more specific code from this category, such as R15.0, R15.1, and R15.2.

Can R15 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the fecal incontinence is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.

Can R15 be reported with F98.1?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on R15 lists "fecal incontinence of nonorganic origin (F98.1)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).