2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R15.0Incomplete defecation
ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R10-R19›R15
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
R15.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for incomplete defecation. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 391 through 392. As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established. Coders also document this condition as abnormal defecation. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Abdominal pain and other digestive/abdomen signs and symptoms.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Abnormal defecation
- Alteration in bowel elimination
- Fecal incontinence with incomplete defecation
- Finding of quantity of defecation
- Incomplete passage of stool
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
- Incomplete - See Also: condition;
- defecation - R15.0
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.
- Incomplete
- defecation
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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.
Convert R15.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About R15.0Overview
Is R15.0 (Fecal incontinence) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report incomplete defecation on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does R15.0 group to?
When incomplete defecation is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 391, 392, with relative weights from 0.7796 to 1.2683 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Can R15.0 be a principal diagnosis?
Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the incomplete defecation is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R15.0?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, incomplete defecation converts to ICD-9-CM 787.61 (incomplete defecation). The mapping is a direct match.
Footnotes
[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.
