K62.5: Hemorrhage of anus and rectum

The ICD-10-CM code for rectal bleeding when the source is documented or presumed to be anorectal and no underlying lesion has been established as the reason for the encounter.

Billable

FY2027

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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At a glance

Code Family

K62: Other diseases of anus and rectum.

Condition

Rectal bleeding

Billable

Yes, valid for HIPAA covered transactions.

HCC Mapping (v28)

None. K62.5 carries no HCC weight under CMS-HCC v28, and carried none under v24.

DRG Grouping

MS-DRG 377, 378 or 379 within MDC 6 under the FY2027 MS-DRG v44 grouper, depending on the complications and comorbidities also reported.

Family Specificity

Category K62 splits by the anorectal finding the note names rather than by severity. K62.5 is the entry for hemorrhage when no lesion is coded as the reason for the encounter.

Which K62 code do I assign?

Category K62 splits by the anorectal finding the note names, not by the volume of bleeding. Assign K62.5 when hemorrhage is the documented finding and no identified lesion is the focus of care.

When documentation says…

Code

Bright red rectal bleeding, source not yet identified

K62.5

Hemorrhage of the anus or rectum with no underlying lesion established at this encounter. The note must place the bleeding at an anorectal source and state that the etiology is not yet determined.

Bleeding internal hemorrhoids

K64.8

Other hemorrhoids. The Index sends Hemorrhoids (bleeding), internal to K64.8. Bleeding is a nonessential modifier at the main term. K64.9 lists hemorrhoids (bleeding) NOS as an inclusion term. K62.5 is not added for the same bleeding.

Bleeding rectal polyp found at colonoscopy

K62.1

Rectal polyp. When the polyp is identified as the source and is the focus of care, the polyp code is the principal diagnosis. K62.5 is then reported secondarily or not at all.

Diverticular bleeding of the large intestine

K57.31

Diverticulosis of large intestine without perforation or abscess with bleeding. Assign K57.33 instead when diverticulitis rather than diverticulosis is documented with the bleeding.

Black tarry stool

K92.1

Melena. K62.5 carries an Excludes1 note for melena (K92.1). The Index also sends hematochezia to K92.1.

Gastrointestinal bleeding, site not localized

K92.2

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, unspecified. Use K92.2 when the bleeding source has not been localized. K62.5 is the more specific code once the source is confirmed to be rectal or anal.

Tabular notes

EXCLUDES1

K62.5 carries an Excludes1 note for gastrointestinal bleeding NOS (K92.2), melena (K92.1) and neonatal rectal hemorrhage (P54.2). These are not reported with K62.5 for the same bleeding.

EXCLUDES2

Category K62 carries an Excludes2 note that K62.5 inherits, for colostomy and enterostomy malfunction (K94.0-, K94.1-), fecal incontinence (R15.-) and hemorrhoids (the K64 codes). An Excludes2 note permits both codes when each condition is independently documented. The Index sends hemorrhoidal bleeding to the K64 codes. K64.9 lists hemorrhoids (bleeding) NOS as an inclusion term. K62.5 is added to a K64 code only when the record documents rectal bleeding that is not attributed to the hemorrhoids.

FY2027: EFFECTIVE 1 OCTOBER 2026

K62.5 is valid in the FY2026 code set and unchanged in the FY2027 update, which took effect on 1 October 2026. The FY2027 code and tabular addenda add, delete or revise nothing in category K62. Its Excludes1 and Excludes2 notes are unchanged.

Operational & financial impact

Why specificity matters beyond the chart: risk adjustment, DRG assignment and denial exposure all follow from which code is selected.

CMS-HCC v28 (PY2024+)

None. K62.5 does not map to any HCC category under CMS-HCC v28.

Where the underlying cause of the bleeding carries HCC weight, such as a colorectal malignancy, that etiology code drives risk adjustment rather than K62.5.

V24 TO V28 TRANSITION

K62.5 carried no HCC mapping under CMS-HCC v24. Its risk adjustment status is unchanged under v28.

MS-DRG v44 (FY2027)

MS-DRG 377: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage with MCC.

MS-DRG 378: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage with CC.

MS-DRG 379: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage without CC/MCC.

K62.5 as a principal inpatient diagnosis groups to MS-DRG 377, 378 or 379 within MDC 6, diseases and disorders of the digestive system, under the FY2027 MS-DRG v44 grouper. The tier follows the secondary diagnoses reported on the claim.

MEDICARE AND COMMERCIAL PAYERS

K62.5 is valid for Medicare claims.

WHERE SPECIFICITY IS LOST

K62.5 carries no HCC weight. When an etiology is established, the risk adjustment value of the encounter rests on coding that etiology.

Reporting K92.2, gastrointestinal hemorrhage unspecified, when the source is confirmed to be rectal or anal discards the anatomical specificity that K62.5 provides.

Documentation checklist to support K62.5

Chart elements that support code selection and reduce specificity-driven denials.

Rectal bleeding or hemorrhage from the rectum or anus, with the source documented or presumed to be anorectal. The Index sends hematochezia to K92.1 instead.

A statement that the etiology has not been established at this encounter, where K62.5 is the reason for the visit.

The identified source where one is found, such as a hemorrhoid, a polyp or diverticular disease, in enough detail to assign the lesion code.

For a documented hemorrhoidal source, the hemorrhoid diagnosis, which the Index codes to the K64 codes in place of K62.5 for the same bleeding.

The anatomical level of the bleeding, distinguishing an anorectal source from an upper gastrointestinal source coded in the K92 family.

For an inpatient stay, the discharge diagnosis updated to the identified cause when the workup reveals a specific source.

Documentation supporting medical necessity for diagnostic lower gastrointestinal endoscopy, where endoscopy is performed.

FAQ

Is K62.5 billable?

Yes. K62.5 is a valid billable code for HIPAA covered transactions. It is a complete code and takes no further character.

Can K62.5 and a hemorrhoid code be reported together?

K62.5 and a hemorrhoid code are not reported together for the same bleeding. The Index sends Hemorrhoids (bleeding) to K64.9. K64.9 lists hemorrhoids (bleeding) NOS as an inclusion term. The K62 Excludes2 note for hemorrhoids (K64.-) allows both codes only when the record documents a separate rectal bleeding condition.

Does K62.5 map to an HCC?

No. K62.5 does not map to any HCC category under CMS-HCC v28, and it did not map under v24. Where the underlying cause carries HCC weight, such as a colorectal malignancy, that etiology code drives risk adjustment.

When do I use K92.2 instead of K62.5?

Use K92.2, gastrointestinal hemorrhage unspecified, when the bleeding source has not been localized. K62.5 is the more specific choice once the source is confirmed to be the rectum or anus.

How do I sequence K62.5 when the source is found?

Code the underlying condition as the principal diagnosis when a specific source is identified and treated, such as a bleeding rectal polyp or a diverticular hemorrhage. K62.5 may be reported additionally where the clinical scenario supports it. The underlying cause code may be sufficient on its own.

Does K62.5 work differently for outpatient and inpatient encounters?

In the outpatient setting K62.5 is appropriate when rectal bleeding is the presenting complaint and the etiology is not definitively established at the time of the encounter. On the inpatient side K62.5 may serve as the principal diagnosis when no more definitive etiology is established. Update the diagnosis at discharge if the workup reveals a specific source.

Did anything change for K62.5 in FY2027?

No. K62.5 is unchanged in the FY2027 update, effective 1 October 2026, which adds, deletes or revises nothing in category K62. No FY2026 changes were identified for K62.5 or for the parent category K62. The code and its Excludes2 structure were unchanged for the year beginning 1 October 2025.

What coding errors are documented for K62.5?

Three errors run against the tabular and the Index. K62.5 is assigned when a specific underlying cause has already been identified and coded, where that etiology code takes precedence. K62.5 is added to a hemorrhoid code for the same bleeding, although the Index codes hemorrhoidal bleeding to the K64 codes. K92.2 is assigned when the source is confirmed to be rectal or anal, where K62.5 provides the more specific anatomical code.

Related codes

Codes in the same family as K62.5. Only codes with a published page render as links.

Sibling codes in the K62 family

K62.0: Anal polyp.
K62.1: Rectal polyp.
K62.2: Anal prolapse.
K62.3: Rectal prolapse.
K62.4: Stenosis of anus and rectum.
K62.6: Ulcer of anus and rectum.
K62.7: Radiation proctitis.
K62.81: Anal sphincter tear (healed) (nontraumatic) (old).
K62.82: Dysplasia of anus.
K62.89: Other specified diseases of anus and rectum.

Additional codes to consider

Codes outside the K62 family considered alongside K62.5.

Companion: code alongside when documented

K64-: Hemorrhoids and perianal venous thrombosis, reportable with K62.5 under the K62 Excludes2 note only when the record documents rectal bleeding that is not attributed to the hemorrhoids.

Consider instead

K62.1: Rectal polyp, where a bleeding polyp is the identified source and the focus of care.
K92.1: Melena.
K92.2: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, unspecified, where the source has not been localized to the rectum or anus.
K57.31: Diverticulosis of large intestine without perforation or abscess with bleeding, where diverticular bleeding is the identified source.
K57.33: Diverticulitis of large intestine without perforation or abscess with bleeding, where bleeding diverticulitis is the identified source.
K60-: Fissure and fistula of anal and rectal regions, where an anal fissure is the identified source.
C18-: Malignant neoplasm of colon, where a colorectal neoplasm is the identified source.
C20: Malignant neoplasm of rectum, where a rectal neoplasm is the identified source.

Sources

All claims on this page derive from government and professional-standards sources.

National Center for Health Statistics. (2026). International classification of diseases, tenth revision, clinical modification (ICD-10-CM) FY2027 files. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd-10-cm/files.html
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and National Center for Health Statistics. (2026). ICD-10-CM official guidelines for coding and reporting FY2027. https://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/Health_Statistics/NCHS/Publications/ICD10CM/2027/ICD-10-CM-October-1-2026-FY27-Guidelines.pdf
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2025). 2026 model software/ICD-10 mappings. https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/medicare-advantage-rates-statistics/risk-adjustment/2026-model-software-icd-10-mappings
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). MS-DRG classifications and software, version 44. https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/prospective-payment-systems/acute-inpatient-pps/ms-drg-classifications-and-software