Billable Medical Code for Acute Appendicitis Without Mention of Peritonitis
Diagnosis Code for Reimbursement Claim: ICD-9-CM 540.9
Code will be replaced by October 2015 and relabeled as ICD-10-CM 540.9.
The Short Description Is: Acute appendicitis NOS.
Known As
Appendicitis is also known as acute appendicitis, acute gangrenous appendicitis, and appendicitis acute. This applies to acute: appendicitis without mention of perforation, peritonitis, or rupture: fulminating, gangrenous, inflamed, obstructive, and cecitis without mention of perforation peritonitis or rupture.
Appendicitis Definition and Symptoms
Appendicitis is when the appendix becomes inflamed and fills with pus. Pain from appendicitis usually starts around the navel and eventually travels to the lower right abdomen. The pain lasts over a period of 12 to 18 hours and eventually becomes extremely severe. Symptoms of appendicitis include nausea, loss of appetite, constipation, tenderness of the lower right abdomen, pain that becomes sharp over several hours, pain that worsens if you cough, and low grade fever.