2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R15.1Fecal smearing
ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R10-R19›R15
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
R15.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for fecal smearing. 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 fecal soiling co-occurrent and due to fecal incontinence. 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.
- Fecal soiling co-occurrent and due to fecal incontinence
- Soiling
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Fecal soiling
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
- Smearing, fecal - R15.1
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.
- Fecal
- smearing
- Fecal
- soiling
- Smearing, fecal
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 Movement
A bowel movement is the last stop in the movement of food through your digestive tract. Your stool passes out of your body through the rectum and anus. Another name for stool is feces. It is made of what is left after your digestive system (stomach, small intestine, and colon) absorbs nutrients and fluids from what you eat and drink.
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Convert R15.1 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About R15.1Overview
Is R15.1 (Fecal incontinence) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report fecal smearing on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does R15.1 group to?
When fecal smearing 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 R15.1 be a principal diagnosis?
Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the fecal smearing is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R15.1?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, fecal smearing converts to ICD-9-CM 787.62 (fecal smearing). 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.
