2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R19.4Change in bowel habit
ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R10-R19›R19
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
R19.4 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for change in bowel habit. 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. 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 frequency of defecation
- Alteration in bowel elimination
- Altered bowel function
- Decreased frequency of defecation
- Finding of frequency of defecation
- Finding of measures of defecation
- Increased frequency of defecation
- Irregular bowel habits
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
- Change (s) (in) (of) - See Also: Removal;
- bowel habit - R19.4
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.
- Change(s) (in) (of)
- bowel habit
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
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Convert R19.4 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About R19.4Overview
Is R19.4 a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report change in bowel habit on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does R19.4 group to?
When change in bowel habit 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 R19.4 be a principal diagnosis?
Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the change in bowel habit is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R19.4?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, change in bowel habit converts to ICD-9-CM 787.99 (digestve syst symptm NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
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.
