R20-R29
Medium Complexity
Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen
Primary Specialty: Gastroenterology
Last Updated: 2025-09-10
ICD-10 Codes (111)
109 billable0 category headers
R21Billable
R22Billable
R22.0Billable
R22.1Billable
R22.2Billable
R22.3Billable
R22.30Billable
R22.31Billable
R22.32Billable
R22.33Billable
R22.4Billable
R22.40Billable
R22.41Billable
R22.42Billable
R22.43Billable
R22.9Billable
R23Billable
R23.0Billable
R23.1Billable
R23.2Billable
R23.3Billable
R23.4Billable
R23.8Billable
R23.9Billable
R25Billable
R25.0Billable
R25.1Billable
R25.2Billable
R25.3Billable
R25.8Billable
R25.9Billable
R26R26.0Billable
R26.1Billable
R26.2Billable
R26.8Billable
R26.81Billable
R26.89Billable
R26.9Billable
R27R27.0Billable
R27.8Billable
R27.9Billable
R29Billable
R29.0Billable
R29.1Billable
R29.2Billable
R29.3Billable
R29.4Billable
R29.5Billable
R29.6Billable
R29.7Billable
R29.70Billable
R29.700Billable
R29.701Billable
R29.702Billable
R29.703Billable
R29.704Billable
R29.705Billable
R29.706Billable
R29.707Billable
R29.708Billable
R29.709Billable
R29.71Billable
R29.710Billable
R29.711Billable
R29.712Billable
R29.713Billable
R29.714Billable
R29.715Billable
R29.716Billable
R29.717Billable
R29.718Billable
R29.719Billable
R29.72Billable
R29.720Billable
R29.721Billable
R29.722Billable
R29.723Billable
R29.724Billable
R29.725Billable
R29.726Billable
R29.727Billable
R29.728Billable
R29.729Billable
R29.73Billable
R29.730Billable
R29.731Billable
R29.732Billable
R29.733Billable
R29.734Billable
R29.735Billable
R29.736Billable
R29.737Billable
R29.738Billable
R29.739Billable
R29.74Billable
R29.740Billable
R29.741Billable
R29.742Billable
R29.8Billable
R29.81Billable
R29.810Billable
R29.818Billable
R29.89Billable
R29.890Billable
R29.891Billable
R29.898Billable
R29.9Billable
R29.90Billable
R29.91Billable
Updates & Changes
FY 2026 Updates
Current Year
Deleted Codes
No codes deleted in this range for FY 2026
No significant changes for FY 2026
This range maintains stability with current coding practices
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 R20-R29 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 R20-R29, 'Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen,' encompasses a variety of symptoms and signs related to the digestive system and abdomen. These codes are used to document symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and changes in appetite, as well as signs like abnormal findings on diagnostic imaging of the abdomen. It's important to note that these codes are typically used when a definitive diagnosis has not been established.
Key Usage Points:
- •These codes are used when a definitive diagnosis has not been established.
- •The codes cover a wide range of symptoms and signs related to the digestive system and abdomen.
- •The codes are often used in the initial stages of a patient's medical evaluation.
- •Specificity is crucial for accurate coding within this range.
- •Always code the symptoms and signs to the highest level of specificity.
Coding Guidelines
When to Use:
- ✓When a patient presents with abdominal pain but the cause is unknown.
- ✓When a patient has nausea and vomiting but the underlying condition is not yet diagnosed.
- ✓When a patient has abnormal findings on diagnostic imaging of the abdomen, but further investigation is needed.
- ✓When a patient has changes in appetite, but the cause is not yet determined.
When NOT to Use:
- ✗When a definitive diagnosis has been established.
- ✗When the symptom or sign is a routine associated finding of a known condition.
- ✗When the symptom or sign is not related to the digestive system or abdomen.
- ✗When the symptom or sign is better represented by another code.
Code Exclusions
Always verify exclusions using the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting.
Documentation Requirements
Documentation for codes in the R20-R29 range should include a detailed description of the symptom or sign, its severity, duration, and any factors that exacerbate or alleviate it. If applicable, also document the results of any relevant diagnostic tests.
Clinical Information:
- •Detailed description of the symptom or sign
- •Severity of the symptom or sign
- •Duration of the symptom or sign
- •Exacerbating or alleviating factors
- •Results of relevant diagnostic tests
Supporting Evidence:
- •Medical history
- •Physical examination findings
- •Diagnostic test results
- •Consultation notes
Good Documentation Example:
Patient presents with severe, constant lower abdominal pain lasting for two days. Pain is exacerbated by movement and alleviated by rest. Abdominal ultrasound reveals a mass in the lower right quadrant.
Poor Documentation Example:
Patient has stomach pain.
Common Documentation Errors:
- âš Not documenting the symptom or sign in sufficient detail
- âš Not documenting the severity or duration of the symptom or sign
- âš Not documenting exacerbating or alleviating factors
- âš Not documenting relevant diagnostic test results
Range Statistics
10
Total Codes
109
Billable
Complexity:
Medium
Primary Use:Clinical Documentation
Chapter:18
Coding Complexity
Medium
Complexity Rating
Coding within the R20-R29 range is of medium complexity due to the need for specificity in documenting symptoms and signs, the wide range of symptoms and signs covered by these codes, and the need to understand when to use these codes and when to use codes for specific conditions.
Key Factors:
- â–¸The need for specificity in documenting symptoms and signs
- â–¸The wide range of symptoms and signs covered by these codes
- â–¸The need to distinguish between different types and locations of abdominal pain
- â–¸The need to understand when to use these codes and when to use codes for specific conditions
Specialty Focus
Codes in the R20-R29 range are used across many specialties, but are particularly common in gastroenterology, emergency medicine, and general practice.
Primary Specialties:
Gastroenterology
40%
Emergency Medicine
30%
General Practice
30%
Clinical Scenarios:
- • A patient presents to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain and vomiting.
- • A patient in a general practice setting reports a loss of appetite and weight loss.
- • A patient undergoing a routine physical examination has abnormal findings on abdominal palpation.
- • A patient in a gastroenterology clinic reports chronic nausea and occasional vomiting.
Resources & References
Resources for coding within the R20-R29 range include the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
Official Guidelines:
- ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
- American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
Clinical References:
- UpToDate
- Medscape
Educational Materials:
- ICD-10-CM Coding Workbook for General Practice
- ICD-10-CM Coding Workbook for Gastroenterology
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a code from the R20-R29 range if a definitive diagnosis has been established?
No, these codes are typically used when a definitive diagnosis has not been established. If a definitive diagnosis has been made, the code for that condition should be used instead.