2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I85Esophageal varices

ICD-10-CM Codes›I00–I99›I80-I89›I85

ICD-10-CM I85
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

I85 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for esophageal varices, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as I85.00, I85.01, I85.10, and I85.11.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
I85
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Esophageal varices
Short Description
Esophageal varices
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
I80-I89
Diseases of veins, lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes, not elsewhere classified

Code Classification

ChapterI00–I99Diseases of the circulatory system
SectionI80-I89Diseases of veins, lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes, not elsewhere classified
CategoryI85Esophageal varices
This CodeI85Esophageal varices

Specific Coding for Esophageal varicesOverview

Non-specific codes like I85 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • I85.0 for Esophageal varices

  • Use I85.00 for Esophageal varices without bleeding

  • Use I85.01 for Esophageal varices with bleeding

  • I85.1 for Secondary esophageal varices

  • Use I85.10 for Secondary esophageal varices without bleeding

  • Use I85.11 for Secondary esophageal varices with bleeding

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to I85: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 9. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Chapter 9 (I00-I99) Diseases of the circulatory system applies to 1,433 codes
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)
  • systemic connective tissue disorders (M30-M36)
  • transient cerebral ischemic attacks and related syndromes (G45.-)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

  • code to identify:
  • alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name I85, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming I85: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • K22 Other diseases of esophagus
    esophageal varices (I85.-)
  • K22.8 Other specified diseases of esophagus
    esophageal varices (I85.-)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Esophageal Varices

    abnormally dilated veins of the esophagus.

Patient EducationClinical

Esophagus Disorders

Esophagus disorders are problems with how your esophagus works. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. You usually don't notice it unless you swallow something too big, hot, or cold. You might also notice it if something is wrong.

The full article covers:

  • What are esophagus disorders?
  • What causes esophagus disorders?
  • What are common esophagus disorders?
  • What are symptoms of esophagus disorders?
  • How are esophagus disorders diagnosed?
  • How are esophagus disorders treated?
  • Can esophagus disorders be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About I85Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for esophageal varices?

I85 is the ICD-10-CM category for esophageal varices, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is I85 (Esophageal varices) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for esophageal varices, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for esophageal varices need a more specific code from this category, such as I85.00, I85.01, and I85.10.

Does I85 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note reads: code to identify: alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-). The additional code is reported after I85.