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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code K20.90

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K20.90

Esophagitis, unspecified without bleeding

ICD-10-CM Code:
K20.90
ICD-10 Code for:
Esophagitis, unspecified without bleeding
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Not chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

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

K20.90 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of esophagitis, unspecified without bleeding. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like K20.90 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Acute esophagitis
  • Aspergillus esophagitis
  • Bacterial esophagitis
  • Bacterial esophagitis
  • Bacterial esophagitis
  • Barrett's esophagus
  • Barrett's esophagus with esophagitis
  • Chemical esophagitis
  • Chemical esophagitis
  • Chemical esophagitis
  • Chronic esophagitis
  • Esophagitis
  • Esophagitis caused by Cytomegalovirus
  • Esophagitis due to chemotherapy
  • Esophagitis due to human immunodeficiency virus disease
  • Esophagitis due to sarcoidosis
  • Esophagitis grade I
  • Esophagitis grade II
  • Esophagitis grade III
  • Esophagitis grade IV
  • Esophagitis medicamentosa
  • Esophagitis medicamentosa
  • Esophagitis medicamentosa
  • Esophagitis medicamentosa
  • Fungal esophagitis
  • Fungal esophagitis
  • Gangrenous esophagitis
  • Gastroesophagitis
  • Gastrointestinal infection caused by non-tuberculous Mycobacterium
  • Infective esophagitis
  • Mycobacterial esophagitis
  • Nasogastric tube esophagitis
  • Non-reflux esophagitis
  • Non-tuberculous mycobacterial esophagitis
  • Phlegmonous enteritis of gastrointestinal tract
  • Phlegmonous esophagitis
  • Pill esophagitis
  • Pill esophagitis
  • Pill esophagitis
  • Pill esophagitis
  • Pill esophagitis due to potassium chloride
  • Pill esophagitis due to quinidine
  • Pill esophagitis due to tetracycline
  • Postoperative esophagitis
  • Protozoal esophagitis
  • Regurgitant esophagitis
  • Viral esophagitis
  • Viral esophagitis

Clinical Classification

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.

  • Bacterial Esophagitis

    an acute bacterial infection that affects the esophagus. symptoms include severe pain on swallowing and retrosternal pain. endoscopic examination reveals esophageal mucosal ulcerations and pseudomembranous formations.

  • Fungal Esophagitis

    infection of the esophagus caused by fungi, most often candida albicans and candida tropicalis. it usually affects patients with immunodeficiency disorders or diabetes mellitus. symptoms include dysphagia and pain on swallowing.

  • Viral Esophagitis

    viral infection of the esophagus. it often occurs in immunocompromised patients and it is caused by cytomegalovirus or herpes simplex virus. symptoms include pain on swallowing, fever, and retrosternal burning.

  • Acute Esophagitis

    an acute inflammatory process affecting the esophageal wall.

  • Chronic Esophagitis

    a chronic inflammatory process affecting the esophageal wall.

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.


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • Esophagitis NOS

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Replacement Code

K2090 replaces the following previously assigned ICD-10-CM code(s):

  • K20.9 - Esophagitis, unspecified

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 - Code Added, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.