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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesEsophageal Dysphagia

Esophageal Dysphagia

ICD-10 Coding for Esophageal Dysphagia(K22.2, K22.4, I69.391, R13.19)

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

Diagnosis Overview

What is Esophageal Dysphagia?
Essential facts and insights about Esophageal Dysphagia

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Difficulty swallowing solids or liquids
  • Sensation of food getting stuck in the throat or chest
  • Regurgitation or aspiration of food
  • Weight loss or dehydration due to eating difficulties

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Patient history of swallowing difficulties
  • Details of onset, duration, and severity of symptoms
  • Results of any imaging studies or endoscopic evaluations
  • Assessment of associated symptoms (e.g., pain, heartburn)

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use R13.12 for esophageal dysphagia specifically; avoid using general codes unless necessary.
  • Common errors include misclassifying oropharyngeal dysphagia as esophageal.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excludes conditions like esophageal strictures or tumors that may require separate coding
  • Alternative codes for related conditions such as GERD or esophagitis

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
R13.10
Dysphagia, unspecified
R13.11
Dysphagia, oropharyngeal
R13.12
Dysphagia, esophageal
Differential Codes
K22.4
K22.2

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Gastroenterology

Specialty Applications

  • Adults with neurological disorders, structural abnormalities, or malignancies affecting the esophagus
  • Clinical settings such as outpatient gastroenterology clinics and inpatient hospitals

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

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

Documentation requirements?

Include detailed patient history, symptom description, and diagnostic test results.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect the specific type of dysphagia for appropriate reimbursement.