ICD-10 Code for Ascites
Also indexed as (abdominal)
The ICD-10-CM code for ascites is R18.8 — Other ascites. This is the code the Alphabetic Index gives for ascites with no further qualifier, valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Billable
Which ascites code should you use?
The Alphabetic Index lists 11 codes under Ascites. Which one applies depends on the qualifier documented in the record — the type, site, cause, or associated condition. Find the qualifier below, then verify the code in the Tabular List before using it.
By type
| cardiac | I50.810 | Right heart failure, unspecified | |
| chylous | I89.8 | Other specified noninfective disorders of lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes | |
| heart | I50.810 | Right heart failure, unspecified | |
| malignant | R18.0 | Malignant ascites | |
| pseudochylous | R18.8 | Other ascites | |
| syphilitic | A52.74 | Syphilis of liver and other viscera | |
| tuberculous | A18.31 | Tuberculous peritonitis |
Ascites due to
| cirrhosis, alcoholic | K70.31 | Alcoholic cirrhosis of liver with ascites | |
| S. japonicum | B65.2 | Schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma japonicum | |
| hepatitis › alcoholic | K70.11 | Alcoholic hepatitis with ascites | |
| hepatitis › chronic active | K73.2 | Chronic active hepatitis, not elsewhere classified | |
| hepatitis › chronic active › with toxic liver disease | K71.51 | Toxic liver disease with chronic active hepatitis with ascites |
Index terms and codes are reproduced from the official ICD-10-CM FY2027 release. The Alphabetic Index is a finding aid — a code must always be verified in the Tabular List before it is reported. Data sources