2027 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 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

K20.81 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other esophagitis with bleeding. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 368 through 370. As a secondary diagnosis, it counts as a major complication or comorbidity (MCC) and places an inpatient stay in the highest severity level of its MS-DRG family. It does not count, however, when the principal diagnosis is one of 38 closely related codes. 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

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to K20.81: its own notes plus those printed at K20, 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.

From K20 Esophagitis applies to 5 codes
  • 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.

From K20 Esophagitis applies to 5 codes
  • 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.

From K20 Esophagitis applies to 5 codes
  • code to identify:
  • alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

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

  • Esophagitis

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

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 2022–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About K20.81Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for other esophagitis with bleeding?

The ICD-10-CM code for other esophagitis with bleeding is K20.81 (sometimes written as K2081). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

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, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

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 369, 370, 368, with relative weights from 0.6741 to 1.6434 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is K20.81 a CC or MCC?

CMS lists K20.81 as an MCC (major complication or comorbidity) for FY 2027. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, it places the inpatient stay in the highest-weighted DRG of its severity family. It does not count when the principal diagnosis is one of the 38 closely related codes in its exclusion list.

Can K20.81 be reported with a code from K22.1?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at K20, which applies to K20.81, 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).