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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesK29.3

K29.3

Non-billable

Chronic superficial gastritis

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

Code Description

ICD-10 K29.3 is a used to indicate a diagnosis of chronic superficial gastritis.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Chronic superficial gastritis is characterized by persistent inflammation of the gastric mucosa, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and dyspepsia. The condition primarily affects the stomach lining, which can become edematous and hyperemic. Chronic superficial gastritis may result from various etiological factors, including prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alcohol consumption, and chronic infections such as Helicobacter pylori. The disease progression can lead to complications such as gastric ulcers or even gastric cancer if left untreated. Diagnosis typically involves a combination of patient history, physical examination, and endoscopic evaluation with biopsy to confirm inflammation and rule out malignancy. Laboratory tests may also be performed to identify H. pylori infection. Management often includes lifestyle modifications, proton pump inhibitors, and eradication therapy for H. pylori, if present. Regular follow-up is essential to monitor symptoms and prevent complications.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Diagnostic complexity: Requires endoscopic evaluation and possible biopsy for confirmation.
  • Treatment complexity: Involves lifestyle changes and pharmacotherapy, with potential need for long-term management.
  • Documentation requirements: Detailed documentation of symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment plans is necessary.
  • Coding specificity: Requires accurate coding to differentiate from acute gastritis and other gastrointestinal disorders.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Common coding errors: Misclassification with acute gastritis codes.
  • Documentation gaps: Incomplete patient history or lack of endoscopic findings.
  • Billing challenges: Potential denials due to insufficient documentation of chronicity or treatment plans.

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

Primary Care

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

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

Chronic superficial gastritis significantly impacts patient quality of life and can lead to increased healthcare utilization due to complications such as ulcers or malignancy. It is prevalent in populations with high NSAID use or alcohol consumption. Understanding the epidemiology of this condition can inform preventive measures and treatment strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

Chronic superficial gastritis significantly impacts patient quality of life and can lead to increased healthcare utilization due to complications such as ulcers or malignancy. It is prevalent in populations with high NSAID use or alcohol consumption. Understanding the epidemiology of this condition can inform preventive measures and treatment strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

Reimbursement considerations include the need for clear evidence of medical necessity for procedures such as endoscopy. Common denials may arise from insufficient documentation or failure to demonstrate the chronicity of the condition. Best practices include ensuring that all treatment plans and follow-up visits are well-documented and that coding accurately reflects the patient's diagnosis and treatment course.

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 K29.3?

K29.3 covers chronic superficial gastritis, which may include conditions resulting from chronic H. pylori infection, NSAID use, or alcohol-related gastritis. It is characterized by persistent inflammation of the gastric mucosa without the presence of ulcers.

When should K29.3 be used instead of related codes?

K29.3 should be used when there is clear documentation of chronic gastritis symptoms and findings. It should be differentiated from acute gastritis (K29.0) and other gastrointestinal conditions based on the duration of symptoms and diagnostic findings.

What documentation supports K29.3?

Documentation should include a detailed patient history, symptom description, results from endoscopic evaluations, biopsy results confirming chronic inflammation, and treatment plans. Evidence of lifestyle factors contributing to the condition should also be included.