2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I85.01Esophageal varices with bleeding

ICD-10-CM Codes›I00–I99›I80-I89›I85

ICD-10-CM I85.01
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

I85.01 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for esophageal varices with bleeding. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 368 through 370. Coders also document this condition as bleeding esophageal varices. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Gastrointestinal hemorrhage and Other specified diseases of veins and lymphatics.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
I85.01
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Esophageal varices with bleeding
Short Description
Esophageal varices with bleeding
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
I85.0
Esophageal varices

Code Classification

ChapterI00–I99Diseases of the circulatory system
SectionI80-I89Diseases of veins, lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes, not elsewhere classified
CategoryI85Esophageal varices
This CodeI85.01Esophageal varices with bleeding

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Bleeding esophageal varices

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Hemorrhage, hemorrhagic(concealed)
      • esophagus
        • varix
    • Varix(lower limb)
      • esophagus (idiopathic) (primary) (ulcerated)
        • bleeding

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR DIG021
Gastrointestinal hemorrhage
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No
CCSR CIR039
Other specified diseases of veins and lymphatics
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Esophagus Disorders

The esophagus is the muscular tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to the stomach. You may not be aware of your esophagus until you swallow something too large, too hot, or too cold. You may also notice it when something is wrong. You may feel pain or have trouble swallowing.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert I85.01 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
456.0 Esophag varices w bleed
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About I85.01Overview

Is I85.01 (Esophageal varices) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report esophageal varices with bleeding on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does I85.01 group to?

When esophageal varices with bleeding is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 368, 369, 370, with relative weights from 0.7008 to 1.5919 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of I85.01?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, esophageal varices with bleeding converts to ICD-9-CM 456.0 (esophag varices w bleed). The mapping is a direct match.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.