2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K20.90Esophagitis, unspecified without bleeding

ICD-10-CM Codes›K00–K95›K20-K31›K20

ICD-10-CM K20.90
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

K20.90 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for esophagitis, unspecified without bleeding. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 391 through 392. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Esophageal disorders.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
K20.90
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Esophagitis, unspecified without bleeding
Short Description
Esophagitis, unspecified without bleeding
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
K20.9
Esophagitis, unspecified

Code Classification

ChapterK00–K95Diseases of the digestive system
SectionK20-K31Diseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenum
CategoryK20Esophagitis
This CodeK20.90Esophagitis, unspecified without bleeding

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Acute esophagitis
  • Aspergillus esophagitis
  • Bacterial esophagitis
  • Barrett's esophagus
  • Barrett's esophagus with 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
  • 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 caused by potassium chloride
  • Pill esophagitis caused by quinidine
  • Pill esophagitis caused by tetracycline
  • Postoperative esophagitis
  • Protozoal esophagitis
  • Regurgitant esophagitis
  • Viral esophagitis

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Esophagitis NOS

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)

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR DIG004
Esophageal disorders
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

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.

  • 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.

Patient EducationClinical

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.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement K20.90 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • K20.9 - Esophagitis, unspecified
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 K20.90Overview

Is K20.90 (Esophagitis, unspecified) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report esophagitis, unspecified without bleeding on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does K20.90 group to?

When esophagitis, unspecified without bleeding is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 391, 392, with relative weights from 0.7796 to 1.2683 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.