All ICD10 Codes
R18Non-billable

Ascites

Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory Findings·Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen (R10-R19)·category·FY 2026

Use a more specific code (2 billable)
R18.0Malignant ascitesR18.8Other ascites

CH18 Parent Instructions

Excludes2(Not included here. Code separately if applicable.)
  • abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • signs and symptoms classified in the body system chapters
  • signs and symptoms of breast (N63, N64.5)

R10-R19 Parent Instructions

Excludes2(Not included here. Code separately if applicable.)
  • congenital or infantile pylorospasm (Q40.0)
  • gastrointestinal hemorrhage (K92.0-K92.2)
  • intestinal obstruction (K56.-)
  • newborn gastrointestinal hemorrhage (P54.0-P54.3)
  • newborn intestinal obstruction (P76.-)
  • pylorospasm (K31.3)
  • signs and symptoms involving the urinary system (R30-R39)
  • symptoms referable to female genital organs (N94.-)
  • symptoms referable to male genital organs (N48-N50)

Instructional Notes

Includes
  • fluid in peritoneal cavity
Excludes1(Not coded here. Use a different code.)
  • ascites in alcoholic cirrhosis (K70.31)
  • ascites in alcoholic hepatitis (K70.11)
  • ascites in toxic liver disease with chronic active hepatitis (K71.51)

Clinical Hierarchy

BillableHas subcodes
CH18Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
R10-R19Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen (R10-R19)
R18AscitesNot billable
R18.0Malignant ascitesBillable
R18.8Other ascitesBillable

MS-DRG Classification

2026

No direct MS-DRG triggers identified.