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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesK22.4

K22.4

Billable

Dyskinesia of esophagus

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/06/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 K22.4 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of dyskinesia of esophagus.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Dyskinesia of the esophagus refers to a group of disorders characterized by abnormal movement patterns of the esophagus, which can lead to difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), chest pain, and regurgitation. The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach, and its normal function relies on coordinated contractions (peristalsis) to transport food. Dyskinesia can result from various underlying conditions, including neurological disorders, esophageal motility disorders, or structural abnormalities. The disease progression may vary, with some patients experiencing intermittent symptoms while others may have chronic issues that worsen over time. Diagnostic considerations include esophageal manometry, which assesses the pressure and pattern of muscle contractions, and barium swallow studies to visualize esophageal function. A thorough clinical history and physical examination are essential to differentiate dyskinesia from other esophageal disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or achalasia.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Diagnostic complexity
  • Treatment complexity
  • Documentation requirements
  • Coding specificity

Audit Risk Factors

  • Common coding errors include misclassification with other esophageal disorders.
  • Documentation gaps may arise from insufficient detail in clinical notes regarding symptoms and diagnostic tests.
  • Billing challenges often involve denials related to lack of medical necessity or incomplete documentation.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Gastroenterology

Documentation Requirements

Standard ICD-10-CM documentation requirements apply

Common Clinical Scenarios

Various clinical presentations within this specialty area

Billing Considerations

Follow specialty-specific billing guidelines

Neurology

Documentation Requirements

Standard ICD-10-CM documentation requirements apply

Common Clinical Scenarios

Various clinical presentations within this specialty area

Billing Considerations

Follow specialty-specific billing guidelines

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

Dyskinesia of the esophagus can significantly affect patients' quality of life, leading to difficulties in eating and increased healthcare utilization due to frequent visits for symptom management. Understanding the epidemiology of esophageal dyskinesia is crucial, as it can be associated with other gastrointestinal disorders and may impact population health. Quality measures related to dysphagia management and esophageal motility disorders are essential for improving patient outcomes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

Dyskinesia of the esophagus can significantly affect patients' quality of life, leading to difficulties in eating and increased healthcare utilization due to frequent visits for symptom management. Understanding the epidemiology of esophageal dyskinesia is crucial, as it can be associated with other gastrointestinal disorders and may impact population health. Quality measures related to dysphagia management and esophageal motility disorders are essential for improving patient outcomes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

Reimbursement considerations include ensuring that the services provided are medically necessary and supported by thorough documentation. Common denials may occur if the documentation does not clearly establish the diagnosis or if the procedure is deemed unnecessary. Best practices include maintaining detailed clinical notes and ensuring that all relevant tests are documented in the patient's medical record.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10 Official Guidelines for K00-K99
  • •
    Clinical Documentation Requirements

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10 Official Guidelines for K00-K99
  • •
    Clinical Documentation Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific conditions are covered by K22.4?

K22.4 encompasses various esophageal dyskinesias, including but not limited to diffuse esophageal spasm, nutcracker esophagus, and other motility disorders that result in abnormal peristalsis.

When should K22.4 be used instead of related codes?

K22.4 should be used when the primary issue is dyskinesia without specific identification of other motility disorders. If a more specific condition like achalasia or spasm is diagnosed, those codes should be used instead.

What documentation supports K22.4?

Documentation should include a detailed clinical history, results from esophageal manometry, imaging studies, and any relevant laboratory tests that support the diagnosis of dyskinesia.