R18.8
R18.8: Other ascites
Billable / specific codeICD-10-CM
R18.8 is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code for other ascites. It is valid for submission on a claim.
Check R18.8 with the rest of the claim: free scrubberInclusion terms
Alternative wordings a physician may use in the chart for this same code.
- Ascites NOS
- Peritoneal effusion (chronic)
Other codes that can never be billed with R18.8
Their own Excludes1 notes name this code, so the conflict is not listed above.
Risk adjustment
No CMS-HCC V28 category: this code does not change a RAF score.
Medicare coverage
R18.8 is named in 7 Medicare coverage policies: 7 listing it as supporting medical necessity. Which one applies depends on your Medicare contractor.
- A56421Billing and Coding: CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis
- A56464Billing and Coding: Flow Cytometry
- A56697Billing and Coding: Non-Invasive Vascular Studies
- A56758Billing and Coding: Non-Invasive Vascular Studies
Alphabetic index entries that lead here
- Ascites(abdominal)
- Hydroperitoneum
- Ascites›pseudochylous
- Dropsy, dropsical›abdomen
- Effusion›peritoneal(chronic)
- Fluid›abdomen
- Fluid›peritoneal cavity
- Hydrops›abdominis
Code history
Unchanged in every release from FY2024 to FY2027.