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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code K20
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K20

Esophagitis

ICD-10-CM Code:
K20
ICD-10 Code for:
Esophagitis
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the digestive system
    (K00–K95)
    • Diseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenum
      (K20-K31)
      • Esophagitis
        (K20)

K20 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of esophagitis. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Esophagitis

Non-specific codes like K20 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for esophagitis:

  • Use K20.0 for Eosinophilic esophagitis - BILLABLE CODE

  • K20.8 for Other esophagitis - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use K20.80 for Other esophagitis without bleeding - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use K20.81 for Other esophagitis with bleeding - BILLABLE CODE

  • K20.9 for Esophagitis, unspecified - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use K20.90 for Esophagitis, unspecified without bleeding - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use K20.91 for Esophagitis, unspecified with bleeding - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis

    chronic esophagitis characterized by esophageal mucosal eosinophilia. it is diagnosed when an increase in eosinophils are present over the entire esophagus. the reflux symptoms fail to respond to proton pump inhibitors treatment, unlike in gastroesophageal reflux disease. the symptoms are associated with ige-mediated hypersensitivity to food or inhalant allergens.

  • Esophagitis

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

  • Esophagitis, Peptic

    inflammation of the esophagus that is caused by the reflux of gastric juice with contents of the stomach and duodenum.

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Use Additional Code

Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
  • code to identify:
  • alcohol abuse and dependence F10

Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • erosion of esophagus K22.1
  • esophagitis with gastro-esophageal reflux disease K21.0
  • reflux esophagitis K21.0
  • ulcerative esophagitis K22.1

Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
  • eosinophilic gastritis or gastroenteritis K52.81

Patient Education


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.

The most common problem with the esophagus is GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). With GERD, a muscle at the end of your esophagus does not close properly. This allows stomach contents to leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus and irritate it. Over time, GERD can cause damage to the esophagus.

Other problems include heartburn, cancer, and eosinophilic esophagitis. Doctors may use various tests to make a diagnosis. These include imaging tests, an upper endoscopy, and a biopsy.

Treatment depends on the problem. Some problems get better with over-the-counter medicines or changes in diet. Others may need prescription medicines or surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.