R19.5: Other fecal abnormalities
R19.5, other fecal abnormalities, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 5 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 5 HCPCS Level II codes, including U0002 (2019-ncov coronavirus, sars-cov-2/2019-ncov (covid-19)…), U0001 (Cdc 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-ncov) real-time rt-pcr…), G0105 (Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual at…). The articles come from 4 Medicare contractors. A listed diagnosis supports medical necessity only; coverage still depends on the LCD's criteria and on documentation in the medical record.
HCPCS Level II codes with R19.5 as a covered diagnosis
| Code | Description | Medicare coverage | DMEPOS fee 2026 (state range) | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U0002 | 2019-ncov coronavirus, sars-cov-2/2019-ncov (covid-19), any technique, multiple types or subtypes (includes all targets), non-cdc | Carrier judgment | — | 4 |
| U0001 | Cdc 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-ncov) real-time rt-pcr diagnostic panel | Carrier judgment | — | 4 |
| G0105 | Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual at high risk | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| G9998 | Documentation of medical reason(s) for an interval of less than 3 years since the last colonoscopy (e.g., last colonoscopy incomplete, last colonoscopy had inadequate prep, piecemeal removal of adenomas, or sessile serrated polyps >= 20 mm in size, last colonoscopy found greater than 10 adenomas, lower gastrointestinal bleeding, or patient at high risk for colon cancer due to underlying medical history ([i.e. crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, personal or family history of colon cancer, hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes]) | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G9999 | Documentation of system reason(s) for an interval of less than 3 years since the last colonoscopy (e.g., unable to locate previous colonoscopy report, patient cannot provide precise date or details from previous colonoscopy, previous colonoscopy report was incomplete) | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
Medicare policy articles listing R19.5
- A56632: Billing and Coding: Colonoscopy/Sigmoidoscopy/Proctosigmoidoscopy (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 3 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34005, L34454
- A58710: Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L38988, L39001, L39038, L39044
- A58720: Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing (Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L38988, L39001, L39038, L39044
- A58761: Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing (WPS Insurance Corporation (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L38988, L39001, L39038, L39044
- A58747: Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing (CGS Administrators, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L38988, L39001, L39038, L39044
A diagnosis listed as covered in a billing and coding article supports medical necessity for the article's codes; it does not guarantee payment. Coverage depends on the LCD's criteria, the contractor's jurisdiction and documentation in the medical record.
Other R19 diagnoses (Other symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen)
- R19.7 — Diarrhea, unspecified
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover R19.5 (Other fecal abnormalities)?
Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 5 Medicare billing and coding articles list R19.5 as a covered diagnosis for 5 HCPCS Level II codes: the diagnosis can support medical necessity for those codes, but payment still depends on the LCD's coverage criteria and the medical record.
Which HCPCS codes can be billed with ICD-10 R19.5?
The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are U0002 (2019-ncov coronavirus, sars-cov-2/2019-ncov (covid-19)…, 4 articles); U0001 (Cdc 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-ncov) real-time rt-pcr…, 4 articles); G0105 (Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual at…, 1 article); G9998 (Documentation of medical reason(s) for an interval of less…, 1 article); G9999 (Documentation of system reason(s) for an interval of less…, 1 article). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.
Which Medicare policy articles list R19.5?
A56632 (Billing and Coding: Colonoscopy/Sigmoidoscopy/Proctosigmoidoscopy); A58710 (Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing); A58720 (Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing), and 2 more articles.
What is ICD-10-CM code R19.5?
R19.5 is the ICD-10-CM code for other fecal abnormalities, in category R19 (Other symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen), chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal findings.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under U0002
- Watch U0002 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for U0002
Sources: CMS Medicare Coverage Database billing and coding articles (covered ICD-10 code lists and HCPCS links); ICD-10-CM FY2026; CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule 2026 (non-rural state fees). Not billing or legal advice.
Chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal findings · All diagnoses · HCPCS lookup