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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAlcoholic Gastritis

Alcoholic Gastritis

ICD-10 Coding for Alcoholic Gastritis(K29.20, K29.21)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYGastroenterology
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Alcoholic Gastritis?
Essential facts and insights about Alcoholic Gastritis

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Patients typically present with epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and dyspepsia.
  • Laboratory findings may include elevated liver enzymes (AST, ALT) and signs of anemia.
  • Physical examination may reveal tenderness in the epigastric region and signs of dehydration.
  • Imaging studies like abdominal ultrasound may show liver abnormalities but are not specific for gastritis.
  • Severity is often assessed based on the presence of complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding or severe dehydration.

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Medical records must document the patient's history of alcohol use and any related symptoms.
  • Specific terminology such as 'alcoholic gastritis' must be used to ensure clarity.
  • Examples include noting the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption and associated symptoms.
  • Documentation must establish medical necessity for treatment, including any complications.
  • Quality measures may require documentation of follow-up care and symptom resolution.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use K29.20 for unspecified alcoholic gastritis and K29.21 for acute alcoholic gastritis.
  • Do not use these codes for gastritis due to other causes, such as infection or medication.
  • K29.20 and K29.21 are related to K29.9 (Gastritis, unspecified) but specify the alcoholic etiology.
  • Common errors include misclassifying the type of gastritis or failing to document alcohol use.
  • In complex cases, ensure to differentiate between acute and chronic presentations for accurate coding.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excludes gastritis due to non-alcoholic causes such as H. pylori infection or NSAID use.
  • Alternative codes for excluded conditions include K29.30 (Chronic gastritis, unspecified).
  • Conditions are excluded to ensure accurate representation of the etiology of gastritis.
  • Common mistakes include coding alcoholic gastritis when the patient has non-alcoholic gastritis.
  • Related but distinct conditions include alcoholic liver disease and esophagitis.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
K29.20
Alcoholic gastritis, unspecified
K29.21
Acute alcoholic gastritis
Ancillary Codes
F10.-
Differential Codes
K29.70
K29.70
when the cause of gastritis is not specified as alcohol.

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Gastroenterology

Specialty Applications

  • Applies to patients with a history of significant alcohol consumption.
  • Patient populations include adults, particularly those with risk factors for alcohol use disorder.
  • Clinical settings include inpatient admissions for acute symptoms and outpatient follow-ups.
  • Specialty-specific applications are relevant in gastroenterology and addiction medicine.
  • Treatment contexts include management of acute symptoms and long-term care for alcohol dependence.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template: 'Patient diagnosed with alcoholic gastritis based on history of alcohol use and clinical findings.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with alcoholic gastritis including epigastric pain and nausea.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria met as evidenced by elevated liver enzymes and symptomatology.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for alcoholic gastritis with dietary modifications and counseling.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for alcoholic gastritis including monitoring of liver function tests and symptom relief.'

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this diagnosis?

Document the patient's alcohol consumption history, symptoms, and any diagnostic findings.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Alcoholic gastritis is specifically related to alcohol use, unlike other gastritis types.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that the diagnosis is clearly linked to the treatment provided to optimize reimbursement.

What procedures are typically associated?

CPT codes for upper endoscopy (e.g., 43235) may be relevant for diagnosis and treatment.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include tracking symptom resolution and follow-up care for alcohol-related conditions.