2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K20Esophagitis

ICD-10-CM Codes›K00–K95›K20-K31›K20

ICD-10-CM K20
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

K20 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for esophagitis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as K20.0, K20.80, K20.81, and K20.90.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
K20
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Esophagitis
Short Description
Esophagitis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
K20-K31
Diseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenum

Code Classification

ChapterK00–K95Diseases of the digestive system
SectionK20-K31Diseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenum
CategoryK20Esophagitis
This CodeK20Esophagitis

Specific Coding for EsophagitisOverview

Non-specific codes like K20 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use K20.0 for Eosinophilic esophagitis

  • K20.8 for Other esophagitis

  • Use K20.80 for Other esophagitis without bleeding

  • Use K20.81 for Other esophagitis with bleeding

  • K20.9 for Esophagitis, unspecified

  • Use K20.90 for Esophagitis, unspecified without bleeding

  • Use K20.91 for Esophagitis, unspecified with bleeding

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to K20: its own notes plus those printed at block K20-K31 and Chapter 11. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • erosion of esophagus (K22.1-)
  • esophagitis with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (K21.0-)
  • reflux esophagitis (K21.0-)
  • ulcerative esophagitis (K22.1-)

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.

On K20 itself
  • eosinophilic gastritis or gastroenteritis (K52.81)
From Block K20-K31 Diseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenum applies to 106 codes
From Chapter 11 (K00-K95) Diseases of the digestive system applies to 863 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)

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.

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Esophagitis

    inflammation, acute or chronic, of the esophagus caused by bacteria, chemicals, or trauma.

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 K20Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for esophagitis?

K20 is the ICD-10-CM category for esophagitis, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is K20 (Esophagitis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for esophagitis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for esophagitis need a more specific code from this category, such as K20.0, K20.80, and K20.81.

Can K20 be reported with a code from K22.1?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on K20 lists "erosion of esophagus (K22.1-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

Does K20 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 K20.