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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesK29.6

K29.6

Non-billable

Other gastritis

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

Code Description

ICD-10 K29.6 is a used to indicate a diagnosis of other gastritis.

Key Diagnostic Point:

K29.6 refers to 'Other gastritis', a condition characterized by inflammation of the gastric mucosa that does not fall under more specific categories of gastritis. Clinically, patients may present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and dyspepsia. The anatomy involved includes the stomach, particularly the gastric lining, which can become inflamed due to various factors including infections, autoimmune disorders, or irritants such as alcohol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Disease progression can vary; acute gastritis may resolve quickly with appropriate treatment, while chronic gastritis can lead to complications such as gastric ulcers or even gastric cancer if left untreated. Diagnostic considerations include endoscopy, biopsy, and laboratory tests to identify underlying causes such as H. pylori infection or autoimmune gastritis. It is crucial for healthcare providers to differentiate K29.6 from other gastritis codes like K29.5 (chronic gastritis) or K29.0 (acute gastritis) to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Diagnostic complexity: Medium - requires differentiation from other gastritis types.
  • Treatment complexity: Medium - may involve lifestyle changes, medications, or further investigation.
  • Documentation requirements: Medium - requires detailed clinical history and symptomatology.
  • Coding specificity: Medium - needs precise coding to avoid misclassification.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Common coding errors: Misclassification with other gastritis codes.
  • Documentation gaps: Incomplete clinical history or lack of symptom detail.
  • Billing challenges: Potential denials if documentation does not support the diagnosis.

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

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The clinical significance of K29.6 lies in its potential to affect patient quality of life and overall health outcomes. Gastritis can lead to increased healthcare utilization due to complications such as ulcers or chronic pain. Understanding the epidemiology of gastritis, including its prevalence in various populations, can help healthcare providers implement effective screening and management strategies, ultimately improving patient care and reducing healthcare costs.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The clinical significance of K29.6 lies in its potential to affect patient quality of life and overall health outcomes. Gastritis can lead to increased healthcare utilization due to complications such as ulcers or chronic pain. Understanding the epidemiology of gastritis, including its prevalence in various populations, can help healthcare providers implement effective screening and management strategies, ultimately improving patient care and reducing healthcare costs.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

Reimbursement considerations include ensuring that the diagnosis is supported by appropriate diagnostic tests and clinical findings. Common denials may arise from insufficient documentation or failure to provide a clear link between symptoms and the diagnosis. Best practices include maintaining thorough clinical notes and ensuring that all relevant tests are documented and coded accurately to support the billing process.

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 K29.6?

K29.6 encompasses various forms of gastritis that do not fit into the acute or chronic categories, including gastritis due to irritants, infections, or other unspecified causes. It is important to evaluate the patient's history and symptoms to determine the exact nature of the gastritis.

When should K29.6 be used instead of related codes?

K29.6 should be used when the gastritis is not classified as acute or chronic and when the cause is not specified. It is essential to document the clinical findings that support this diagnosis to differentiate it from K29.0 and K29.5.

What documentation supports K29.6?

Documentation should include a detailed clinical history, symptom descriptions, results from diagnostic tests such as endoscopy or biopsy, and any relevant laboratory findings that indicate the presence of gastritis without a more specific classification.