Specific code 2015 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 556.9
Ulcerative colitis, unspecified
  • 2015
  • Billable Thru Sept 30/2015
  • Non-Billable On/After Oct 1/2015

  • ICD-9-CM 556.9 is a billable medical code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim, however, 556.9 should only be used for claims with a date of service on or before September 30, 2015. For claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015, use an equivalent ICD-10-CM code (or codes).
Convert to ICD-10-CM: 556.9 converts approximately to:
  • 2015/16 ICD-10-CM K51.90 Ulcerative colitis, unspecified, without complications
Approximate Synonyms
  • Abscess of intestine due to ulcerative colitis
  • Acute ulcerative colitis
  • Arthropathy in ulcerative colitis
  • Chronic mild ulcerative colitis
  • Chronic moderate ulcerative colitis
  • Chronic severe ulcerative colitis
  • Chronic ulcerative colitis
  • Complication due to ulcerative colitis
  • Fistula of intestine due to ulcerative colitis
  • Hemolytic anemia associated with ulcerative colitis
  • Hemolytic anemia w ulcerative colitis
  • Hemolytic anemia, with ulcerative colitis
  • Intestinal obstruction due to ulcerative colitis
  • Mild chronic ulcerative colitis
  • Moderate chronic ulcerative colitis
  • Rectal hemorrhage due to ulcerative colitis
  • Severe chronic ulcerative colitis
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Ulcerative colitis w abscess
  • Ulcerative colitis w arthritis
  • Ulcerative colitis w complication
  • Ulcerative colitis w fistula
  • Ulcerative colitis w obstruction
  • Ulcerative colitis w rectal bleeding
  • Ulcerative colitis with abscess
  • Ulcerative colitis with arthritis
  • Ulcerative colitis with complication
  • Ulcerative colitis with fistula
  • Ulcerative colitis with obstruction
  • Ulcerative colitis with rectal bleeding
  • Ulcerative colitis, chronic
  • Ulcerative colitis, chronic, mild
  • Ulcerative colitis, chronic, moderate
  • Ulcerative colitis, chronic, severe
Clinical Information
  • An inflammatory bowel disease involving the mucosal surface of the large intestine and rectum. It may present with an acute or slow onset and follows an intermittent or continuous course. Signs and symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, weight loss, and intestinal hemorrhage
  • Chronic inflammation of the colon that produces ulcers in its lining. This condition is marked by abdominal pain, cramps, and loose discharges of pus, blood, and mucus from the bowel
  • Chronic, recurrent ulceration of the colon mucosa and submucosa
  • Inflammation of the colon that is predominantly confined to the mucosa. Its major symptoms include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, the passage of mucus, and abdominal pain
  • Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes ulcers in the lining of the rectum and colon. It is one of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel disease. Ulcers form where inflammation has killed the cells that usually line the colon. Ulcerative colitis can happen at any age, but it usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30. It tends to run in families. The most common symptoms are pain in the abdomen and bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may include anemia, severe tiredness, weight loss, loss of appetite, bleeding from the rectum, sores on the skin and joint pain. Children with the disease may have growth problems. About half of people with ulcerative colitis have mild symptoms. Several types of drugs can help control ulcerative colitis. Some people have long periods of remission, when they are free of symptoms. In severe cases, doctors must remove the colon. nih: national institute of diabetes and digestive and kidney diseases
Applies To
  • Ulcerative enteritis NOS
ICD-9-CM Volume 2 Index entries containing back-references to 556.9:
  • Colitis (acute) (catarrhal) (croupous) (cystica superficialis) (exudative) (hemorrhagic) (noninfectious) (phlegmonous) (presumed noninfectious) 558.9
    • chronic 558.9
      • ulcerative (see also Colitis, ulcerative) 556.9
    • gravis (see also Colitis, ulcerative) 556.9
    • polyposa (see also Colitis, ulcerative) 556.9
  • Diarrhea, diarrheal (acute) (autumn) (bilious) (bloody) (catarrhal) (choleraic) (chronic) (gravis) (green) (infantile) (lienteric) (noninfectious) (presumed noninfectious) (putrefactive) (secondary) (sporadic) (summer) (symptomatic) (thermic) 787.91
    • ulcerative (chronic) (see also Colitis, ulcerative) 556.9
  • Enteritis (acute) (catarrhal) (choleraic) (chronic) (congestive) (diarrheal) (exudative) (follicular) (hemorrhagic) (infantile) (lienteric) (noninfectious) (perforative) (phlegmonous) (presumed noninfectious) (pseudomembranous) 558.9
    • chronic 558.9
      • ulcerative (see also Colitis, ulcerative) 556.9
    • ulcerative (chronic) (see also Colitis, ulcerative) 556.9
  • Gastroenteritis (acute) (catarrhal) (congestive) (hemorrhagic) (noninfectious) (see also Enteritis) 558.9
    • chronic 558.9
      • ulcerative (see also Colitis, ulcerative) 556.9
    • ulcerative (see also Colitis, ulcerative) 556.9
  • Megacolon (acquired) (functional) (not Hirschsprung's disease) 564.7
    • toxic (see also Colitis, ulcerative) 556.9
ICD-9-CM codes are used in medical billing and coding to describe diseases, injuries, symptoms and conditions. ICD-9-CM 556.9 is one of thousands of ICD-9-CM codes used in healthcare. Although ICD-9-CM and CPT codes are largely numeric, they differ in that CPT codes describe medical procedures and services. Can't find a code? Start at the root of ICD-9-CM, check the 2015 ICD-9-CM Index or use the search engine at the top of this page to lookup any code.