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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenumICD-10-CM k26-duodenal-ulcer
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Duodenal Ulcer: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group K26 includes duodenal ulcers, covering acute and chronic ulcers of the duodenum with distinctions for bleeding and perforation. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical scenarios that capture ulcer acuity, presence of hemorrhage, and occurrence of perforation or chronicity. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM K26 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM K26: Duodenal Ulcer Overview

    The ICD-10-CM K26 code group represents duodenal ulcer diagnoses, including acute and chronic presentations with or without bleeding or perforation. These conditions affect the duodenum, part of the upper gastrointestinal tract, and can range from uncomplicated ulcers to those with significant complications. Accurate coding matters for complete clinical documentation and appropriate reimbursement when claims reflect the severity and complications of the ulcer.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when the clinical record documents a duodenal ulcer and specifies characteristics such as acute or chronic status, presence of hemorrhage, or perforation. Select the code that most precisely reflects the documented ulcer type and any associated complications at the time of encounter.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    9 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    K26.0Acute duodenal ulcer with hemorrhage
    K26.1Acute duodenal ulcer with perforation
    K26.2Acute duodenal ulcer with both hemorrhage and perforation
    K26.3Acute duodenal ulcer without hemorrhage or perforation
    K26.4Chronic or unspecified duodenal ulcer with hemorrhage
    K26.5Chronic or unspecified duodenal ulcer with perforation
    K26.6Chronic or unspecified duodenal ulcer with both hemorrhage and perforation
    K26.7Chronic duodenal ulcer without hemorrhage or perforation
    K26.9Duodenal ulcer, unspecified as acute or chronic, without hemorrhage or perforation

    DRG Codes

    8 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    377Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage with MCC
    378Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage with CC
    379Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage without CC/MCC
    380Complicated Peptic Ulcer with MCC
    381Complicated Peptic Ulcer with CC
    382Complicated Peptic Ulcer without CC/MCC
    383Uncomplicated Peptic Ulcer with MCC
    384Uncomplicated Peptic Ulcer without MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An adult presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of severe epigastric pain, hematemesis and melena after several days of NSAID use; vital signs show hypotension and tachycardia consistent with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy confirms an actively bleeding duodenal ulcer requiring endoscopic hemostasis, so an acute, hemorrhagic duodenal ulcer diagnosis is assigned. Typical codes: K26.0, K26.2, K26.4.
    • A middle-aged patient with a known history of peptic ulcer disease reports recurrent postprandial epigastric pain and duodenal scarring on prior endoscopy; current visit is for outpatient management and assessment of chronic ulcer disease without recent bleeding or perforation. Because this represents a chronic or unspecified duodenal ulcer without acute complications, a non-acute duodenal ulcer code from the group is assigned. Typical codes: K26.5, K26.6, K26.9.
    • An elderly patient is admitted with sudden severe abdominal pain and peritonitis after a day of worsening epigastric pain; imaging and urgent surgery reveal a perforated duodenal ulcer with peritoneal contamination. The acute, perforated duodenal ulcer is coded to reflect the surgical emergency and complication. Typical codes: K26.1, K26.3, K26.7.

    Related Codes

    K20-ESOPHAGITIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Esophagitis: Group Overview

    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

    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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