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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenumICD-10-CM k20-esophagitis
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Esophagitis: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group K20 includes inflammatory disorders of the esophagus such as reflux esophagitis, infectious esophagitis, and other non-specific esophagitis variants that affect the mucosal lining. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical scenarios including symptom severity, presence of infectious agents or reflux disease, and complications such as strictures or ulceration, capturing organ involvement and clinical complexity relevant to this group. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM K20 group supports proper claim adjudication and complete clinical documentation for appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM K20: Esophagitis Overview

    The ICD-10-CM K20 group covers inflammatory conditions of the esophagus, including reflux-related and infectious esophagitis. These diagnoses target the esophagus, part of the digestive system, and often relate to symptoms such as heartburn, dysphagia, and odynophagia. Accurate coding matters for correct reimbursement and to reflect clinical complexity for care continuity.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a clinician documents esophagitis based on clinical assessment, endoscopic findings, or identified infectious etiology. Assign codes that reflect the specific cause and any complications to accurately represent clinical severity and treatment needs.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    5 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    K20.0Eosinophilic esophagitis
    K20.80Other esophagitis without bleeding
    K20.81Other esophagitis with bleeding
    K20.90Esophagitis, unspecified without bleeding
    K20.91Esophagitis, unspecified with bleeding

    DRG Codes

    5 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    368Major Esophageal Disorders with MCC
    369Major Esophageal Disorders with CC
    370Major Esophageal Disorders without CC/MCC
    391Esophagitis, Gastroenteritis and Miscellaneous Digestive Disorders with MCC
    392Esophagitis, Gastroenteritis and Miscellaneous Digestive Disorders without MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • A middle-aged adult presents to urgent care with sudden onset severe chest discomfort, odynophagia, and recent vomiting after heavy alcohol intake; exam shows retrosternal pain and limited tolerance of oral intake. Evaluation aims to exclude esophageal perforation and confirms acute inflammation of the esophageal mucosa consistent with reflux-related or chemical injury, so an acute esophagitis diagnosis is assigned for the emergency presentation. Typical codes: K20.0, K20.90
    • A patient with long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease reports progressive heartburn, nocturnal regurgitation, and dysphagia over months despite proton pump inhibitor therapy; endoscopy demonstrates erosive changes of the distal esophagus without evidence of infection. This chronic symptomatic presentation with documented mucosal injury leads to coding for chronic reflux esophagitis as an ongoing condition. Typical codes: K20.81, K20.91
    • An immunocompromised patient (e.g., HIV-positive or on chemotherapy) develops odynophagia, fever, and white plaques on endoscopy consistent with infectious esophagitis; microbiologic testing identifies a fungal or viral pathogen. Because the esophagitis is secondary to infection in an immunosuppressed host, an esophagitis code indicating infectious or specified acute esophagitis is assigned to capture the comorbid infectious process. Typical codes: K20.80, K20.81

    Related Codes

    K21-GASTRO-ESOPHAGEAL-REFLUX-DISEASE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease: Group Overview

    K22-OTHER-DISEASES-OF-ESOPHAGUS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Diseases Of Esophagus: Group Overview

    K23-DISORDERS-OF-ESOPHAGUS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Esophagus In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

    K25-GASTRIC-ULCER

    ICD-10-CM Code For Gastric Ulcer: Group Overview

    K26-DUODENAL-ULCER

    ICD-10-CM Code For Duodenal Ulcer: Group Overview

    K27-PEPTIC-ULCER-SITE-UNSPECIFIED

    ICD-10-CM Code For Peptic Ulcer Site Unspecified: Group Overview

    K28-GASTROJEJUNAL-ULCER

    ICD-10-CM Code For Gastrojejunal Ulcer: Group Overview

    K29-GASTRITIS-AND-DUODENITIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Gastritis And Duodenitis: Group Overview

    K30-FUNCTIONAL-DYSPEPSIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Functional Dyspepsia: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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