K20-K31
Medium Complexity
Diseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenum
Primary Specialty: Gastroenterology
Last Updated: 2025-09-10
ICD-10 Codes (114)
90 billable16 category headers
K21K21.0K21.00Billable
K21.01Billable
K21.9Billable
K22K22.0Billable
K22.1K22.10Billable
K22.11Billable
K22.2Billable
K22.3Billable
K22.4Billable
K22.5Billable
K22.6Billable
K22.7K22.70Billable
K22.71K22.710Billable
K22.711Billable
K22.719Billable
K22.8K22.81Billable
K22.82Billable
K22.89Billable
K22.9Billable
K23Billable
K25K25.0Billable
K25.1Billable
K25.2Billable
K25.3Billable
K25.4Billable
K25.5Billable
K25.6Billable
K25.7Billable
K25.9Billable
K26K26.0Billable
K26.1Billable
K26.2Billable
K26.3Billable
K26.4Billable
K26.5Billable
K26.6Billable
K26.7Billable
K26.9Billable
K27K27.0Billable
K27.1Billable
K27.2Billable
K27.3Billable
K27.4Billable
K27.5Billable
K27.6Billable
K27.7Billable
K27.9Billable
K28K28.0Billable
K28.1Billable
K28.2Billable
K28.3Billable
K28.4Billable
K28.5Billable
K28.6Billable
K28.7Billable
K28.9Billable
K29K29.0K29.00Billable
K29.01Billable
K29.2K29.20Billable
K29.21Billable
K29.3K29.30Billable
K29.31Billable
K29.4K29.40Billable
K29.41Billable
K29.5K29.50Billable
K29.51Billable
K29.6K29.60Billable
K29.61Billable
K29.7K29.70Billable
K29.71Billable
K29.8K29.80Billable
K29.81Billable
K29.9K29.90Billable
K29.91Billable
K30Billable
K31K31.0Billable
K31.1Billable
K31.2Billable
K31.3Billable
K31.4Billable
K31.5Billable
K31.6Billable
K31.7Billable
K31.8K31.81K31.811Billable
K31.819Billable
K31.82Billable
K31.83Billable
K31.84Billable
K31.89Billable
K31.9Billable
Updates & Changes
FY 2026 Updates
Current Year
New Codes (1)
K50.919
Crohn's disease, unspecified, with perianal disease complications
Revised Codes (2)
K51.90
Ulcerative colitis, unspecified, without complications - updated endoscopic severity scoring
K50.90
Crohn's disease, unspecified, without complications - enhanced phenotyping
Deleted Codes
No codes deleted in this range for FY 2026
Historical Changes
- •FY 2025: Routine maintenance updates with minor terminology clarifications
- •FY 2024: Enhanced specificity requirements for certain code ranges
- •FY 2023: Updated documentation guidelines for improved clarity
Upcoming Changes
- •Proposed updates pending review by Coordination and Maintenance Committee
- •Under consideration: Enhanced digital health integration codes
Implementation Guidance
- •Review all FY 2026 updates for K20-K31 codes before implementation
- •Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
- •Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
- +3 more guidance items...
Range Overview
high priority
The ICD-10 code range K20-K31 covers diseases of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. This includes conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, duodenitis, and peptic ulcers. The codes are used to document these conditions in medical records, and are crucial for accurate billing and statistical tracking of disease prevalence.
Key Usage Points:
- •Always use specific codes that identify the exact condition being treated.
- •Use additional codes to identify any associated conditions or complications.
- •For diseases of the esophagus, use codes K20-K22.
- •For diseases of the stomach and duodenum, use codes K25-K31.
- •Remember to code first any associated alcohol or tobacco use.
Coding Guidelines
When to Use:
- ✓When a patient is diagnosed with a disease of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum.
- ✓When a patient has complications related to a disease of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum.
- ✓When a patient has a history of diseases of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum.
- ✓When a patient is being treated for a disease of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum.
When NOT to Use:
- ✗When a patient has symptoms but no definitive diagnosis.
- ✗When a patient has a disease of the digestive system not covered by the K20-K31 range.
- ✗When a patient has a condition that is a direct result of another condition (code the primary condition first).
- ✗When a patient has a disease of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum that is not the focus of treatment.
Code Exclusions
Always verify exclusions with the most current version of the ICD-10 guidelines.
Documentation Requirements
Proper documentation for diseases of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum should include a clear and specific diagnosis, any related conditions or complications, and the patient's history. Documentation should be detailed and comprehensive to support accurate coding.
Clinical Information:
- •Specific diagnosis
- •Location of the disease
- •Severity of the disease
- •Any associated complications
- •Patient's medical history
Supporting Evidence:
- •Lab results
- •Imaging results
- •Endoscopy results
- •Physician's notes
Good Documentation Example:
Patient diagnosed with acute gastritis due to Helicobacter pylori. Endoscopy confirmed the diagnosis. Patient has a history of peptic ulcer disease.
Poor Documentation Example:
Patient has stomach pain.
Common Documentation Errors:
- âš Not documenting the specific diagnosis
- âš Not documenting associated conditions or complications
- âš Not documenting the patient's history
- âš Not providing supporting evidence
Range Statistics
11
Total Codes
90
Billable
Complexity:
Medium
Primary Use:Clinical Documentation
Chapter:11
Coding Complexity
Medium
Complexity Rating
The coding complexity for diseases of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum is rated as medium due to the need for specific diagnoses, the potential for associated conditions and complications, and the importance of the patient's history. Additionally, some conditions may require surgical intervention, which can increase coding complexity.
Key Factors:
- â–¸Specificity of the diagnosis
- â–¸Presence of associated conditions or complications
- â–¸Patient's medical history
- â–¸Need for surgical intervention
- â–¸Chronicity of the disease
Specialty Focus
These codes are most commonly used by gastroenterologists, but may also be used by primary care physicians, surgeons, and other specialists who treat diseases of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
Primary Specialties:
Gastroenterology
60%
General Surgery
30%
Primary Care
10%
Clinical Scenarios:
- • A patient with chronic GERD undergoing endoscopy.
- • A patient with a peptic ulcer being treated with medication.
- • A patient with gastritis due to H. pylori infection.
- • A patient with a history of duodenitis being monitored for recurrence.
- • A patient undergoing surgery for a severe peptic ulcer.
Resources & References
There are many resources available to help with coding diseases of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. These include the official ICD-10 guidelines, clinical reference materials, and educational resources.
Official Guidelines:
- ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Coding Guidelines
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ICD-10 Resources
Clinical References:
- American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Clinical Guidelines
- American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Clinical Guidelines
Educational Materials:
- AHIMA ICD-10 Training Materials
- CMS ICD-10 Educational Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a K20-K31 code if the patient has symptoms but no definitive diagnosis?
No, you should only use a K20-K31 code if the patient has a definitive diagnosis of a disease of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum.
What if the patient has a disease of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum that is not the focus of treatment?
You should still code the disease, but it may not be the primary code depending on the focus of treatment.