R18.8 Other ascites

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026. Acts as a Complication or Comorbidity (CC) as a secondary diagnosis.

Applicable to

• Ascites NOS
• Peritoneal effusion (chronic)

Applies from R18 Ascites

Includes

• fluid in peritoneal cavity

Excludes1 (never code together)

• ascites in alcoholic cirrhosis (K70.31)
• ascites in alcoholic hepatitis (K70.11)
• ascites in toxic liver disease with chronic active hepatitis (K71.51)

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 947-948 in MDC 23.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 568.82 Peritoneal effusion (chronic) (approximate)
• 789.59 Other ascites

Code annotations containing back-references to R18.8

Back-references to R18.8

• Use Additional: B18 Chronic viral hepatitis ("code, if applicable, for ascites (R18.8)")
• Type 2 Excludes: K66 Other disorders of peritoneum ("peritoneal effusion (chronic) (R18.8)")
• Use Additional: K72 Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified ("code, if applicable, for ascites (R18.8)")
• Use Additional: K73 Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified ("code, if applicable, for ascites (R18.8)")

Back-references to R18

• Type 2 Excludes: K66 Other disorders of peritoneum ("ascites (R18.-)")
• Type 1 Excludes: R19.0 Intra-abdominal and pelvic swelling, mass and lump ("ascites (R18.-)")
• Type 1 Excludes: R60 Edema, not elsewhere classified ("ascites (R18.-)")

Diagnosis Index entries for R18.8

• Ascites (abdominal)
• Ascites (abdominal) › pseudochylous
• Dropsy, dropsical › abdomen
• Effusion › peritoneal (chronic)
• Fluid › abdomen
• Fluid › peritoneal cavity
• Hydroperitoneum
• Hydrops › abdominis

Nearby codes

• R18 Ascites
• R18.0 Malignant ascites
• R18.8 Other ascites (this code)