2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K20.81Other esophagitis with bleeding

ICD-10-CM Codes›K00–K95›K20-K31›K20

ICD-10-CM K20.81
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

K20.81 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other esophagitis 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. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Esophageal disorders and Gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
K20.81
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Other esophagitis with bleeding
Short Description
Other esophagitis with bleeding
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
K20.8
Other esophagitis

Code Classification

ChapterK00–K95Diseases of the digestive system
SectionK20-K31Diseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenum
CategoryK20Esophagitis
This CodeK20.81Other esophagitis with bleeding

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.

    • Esophagitis(acute) (alkaline) (chemical) (chronic) (infectional) (necrotic) (peptic) (postoperative) (without bleeding)
      • specified NEC (without bleeding)
        • with bleeding

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR DIG004
Esophageal disorders
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes
CCSR DIG021
Gastrointestinal hemorrhage
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No

Clinical InformationClinical

  • 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.

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement K20.81 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • K20.8 - Other esophagitis
FY 2021AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2020.
FY 2022–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About K20.81Overview

Is K20.81 (Other esophagitis) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does K20.81 group to?

When other esophagitis 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.

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.