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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAngioectasia

Angioectasia

ICD-10 Coding for Angioectasia(K55.21, K31.811, K63.811)

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

Diagnosis Overview

What is Angioectasia?
Essential facts and insights about Angioectasia

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Presence of gastrointestinal bleeding, often manifesting as melena or hematochezia.
  • Endoscopic findings showing dilated, tortuous blood vessels in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Physical examination may reveal signs of anemia due to chronic blood loss.
  • Imaging studies such as CT angiography may demonstrate vascular malformations.
  • Severity may be assessed based on the volume of blood loss and the patient's hemodynamic stability.

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Complete medical history including onset, duration, and characteristics of symptoms.
  • Specific terminology such as 'angioectasia' or 'vascular ectasia' must be documented.
  • Examples include noting the location of angioectasia (e.g., colon, stomach) and associated symptoms.
  • Documentation must support medical necessity for procedures like endoscopy or imaging.
  • Quality measures may include tracking the frequency of bleeding episodes and treatment responses.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use K55.21 for angioectasia of the intestine when there is evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Do not use this code for other types of vascular malformations not involving the gastrointestinal tract.
  • K31.811 is used for angioectasia of the stomach, while K63.811 is for the colon; choose based on the site.
  • Common errors include misclassifying angioectasia as diverticulosis or other gastrointestinal conditions.
  • In complex cases, ensure to document all relevant findings to support the selected code.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Do not use for conditions like hemorrhoids or other non-vascular causes of gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Alternative codes for excluded conditions include K62.5 for hemorrhoids and K92.2 for gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
  • Conditions are excluded to ensure accurate representation of the specific vascular pathology.
  • Common mistakes include using angioectasia codes for unrelated gastrointestinal conditions.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
K55.21
Angioectasia of intestine
K31.811
Angioectasia of stomach
K63.811
Angioectasia of colon
Ancillary Codes
D62
D50.0
I25.1
Differential Codes
K55.20
K55.20
when there is no active bleeding.
K31.819
K31.819
when there is no active bleeding.
K63.81
K63.81
when there is no active bleeding.

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Gastroenterology

Specialty Applications

  • Patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, particularly older adults or those with vascular disorders.
  • Clinical settings include outpatient gastroenterology clinics, inpatient hospital settings, and emergency departments.
  • Specialty-specific applications are relevant in gastroenterology and surgical specialties.
  • Treatment contexts may involve endoscopic interventions or surgical management for severe cases.

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 angioectasia based on endoscopic findings of vascular malformations.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with angioectasia including recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria met as evidenced by endoscopic visualization of angioectasia in the colon.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for angioectasia with endoscopic intervention and follow-up care.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for angioectasia including monitoring for signs of recurrent bleeding.'

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?

Documentation should include clinical findings, endoscopic results, and treatment plans.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Angioectasia is characterized by vascular malformations, unlike diverticulosis which involves pouches.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that all procedures performed are medically necessary and well-documented to optimize claims.

What procedures are typically associated?

Commonly associated procedures include endoscopy and possible surgical interventions.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include tracking bleeding episodes and treatment effectiveness.