What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is defined as the inability to control urination, which means that individuals experience involuntary leakage of urine. This condition can impact a person's daily life and activities, as it often results in unexpected and uncontrollable urges to urinate or a lack of control over the bladder.

Understanding this definition is crucial for medical coding professionals, as accurate documentation and coding of urinary incontinence can aid in the proper recording of patient diagnoses and facilitate appropriate treatment plans. This condition can arise from various factors, such as underlying health conditions, physical or neurological issues, or even lifestyle choices. Hence, recognizing the term and its implications is essential for appropriate coding and billing in healthcare settings.