ICD-10 Code K52.839 – Microscopic colitis, unspecified (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K52.839 – Microscopic colitis, unspecified
What it is
K52.839 identifies microscopic colitis when the specific subtype is not documented. It is an inflammatory colon condition that may look normal on endoscopy but is confirmed by biopsy.
Clinical signs
Typical features include chronic watery diarrhea, urgency, and possible nocturnal stools. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation, and confirm that biopsy-supported microscopic colitis is documented when available.
When to use this code
Use K52.839 when the provider documents microscopic colitis without naming collagenous or lymphocytic colitis. It also fits when the record states microscopic colitis, unspecified, and no further subtype is available. Check documentation if the pathology report or note gives a more specific diagnosis.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for other forms of colitis, infectious diarrhea, or inflammatory bowel disease unless specifically documented. If the subtype is identified, code the documented specific microscopic colitis instead.
Coding tip
Assign the unspecified code only when the record supports microscopic colitis but does not specify the subtype.