2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K21.9

Approximate Synonyms

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

• Acid reflux
• Chalasia of lower esophageal sphincter
• Diaphragmatic hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Digestive system reflux
• Duodenogastric reflux
• Erosive gastro-esophageal reflux disease
• Esophageal reflux finding
• Esophageal reflux finding
• Esophageal reflux finding
• Esophageal reflux finding
• Esophageal reflux finding
• Excessive gastric reflux
• Finding of esophageal function
• Finding of esophageal function
• Finding of esophageal function
• Finding of esophageal function
• Finding of esophageal function
• Gastric reflux
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease in pregnancy
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease with apnea
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease without esophagitis
• Gastroesophageal reflux in child
• Hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux
• Hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux
• Laryngitis due to gastroesophageal reflux
• Laryngopharyngeal reflux
• Minimal gastric reflux
• Moderate gastric reflux
• Non-erosive gastro-esophageal reflux disease
• Paraesophageal hernia
• Paraesophageal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux
• Secondary hernia of abdomen
• STAG1-related intellectual disability, facial dysmorphism, gastroesophageal reflux syndrome

Clinical Information

• Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

  back flow of gastric contents to the laryngopharynx where it comes in contact with tissues of the upper aerodigestive tract. laryngopharyngeal reflux is an extraesophageal manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux.

• Duodenogastric Reflux

  retrograde flow of duodenal contents (bile acids; pancreatic juice) into the stomach.

K21.9 is grouped with Diagnostic Related Groups - MS-DRG Mapping

Diagnostic Related Groups (DRGs) are a classification system used to group together diagnosis codes for the purpose of reimbursement and healthcare management. DRGs are used to standardize the way hospitals and other providers are paid for inpatient services. In this system patients are grouped together based on their principal diagnosis in areas referred to as Major Diagnostic Categories (MDC). Once a patient is assigned a particular diagnostic category, providers receive a predetermined payment rate for the services rendered. This reimbursement rate is often fixed and is meant to cover the cost of care for that patient. Reimbursement is also affected by the relative weight of a diagnostic related group based on the severity of a patient's illness and the associated cost of care during hospitalization.

Diagnostic related groups encourage healthcare providers to focus on quality and efficiency in patient care while managing costs effectively. The diagnosis code is present in the following groups for version MS-DRG V41.0 applicable from 10/01/2023 through 09/30/2024.

MS-DRG	MS-DRG Title	MCD	Relative Weight
391	ESOPHAGITIS, GASTROENTERITIS AND MISCELLANEOUS DIGESTIVE DISORDERS WITH MCC	06	1.2757
392	ESOPHAGITIS, GASTROENTERITIS AND MISCELLANEOUS DIGESTIVE DISORDERS WITHOUT MCC	06	0.7856

The relative weight of a diagnostic related group determines the reimbursement rate based on the severity of a patient's illness and the associated cost of care during hospitalization.

Convert K21.9 to ICD-9-CM

• ICD-9-CM Code: 530.81 - Esophageal reflux

Patient Education

GERD

Your esophagus is the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens when 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.

You may feel a burning in the chest or throat called heartburn. Sometimes, you can taste stomach fluid in the back of the mouth. If you have these symptoms more than twice a week, you may have GERD. You can also have GERD without having heartburn. Your symptoms could include a dry cough, asthma symptoms, or trouble swallowing.

Anyone, including infants and children, can have GERD. If not treated, it can lead to more serious health problems. In some cases, you might need medicines or surgery. However, many people can improve their symptoms by:

• Avoiding alcohol and spicy, fatty or acidic foods that trigger heartburn
• Eating smaller meals
• Not eating close to bedtime
• Losing weight if needed
• Wearing loose-fitting clothes

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Adults

Describes symptoms, causes, and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which acid reflux leads to symptoms or complications.
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Children

Overview of symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), or acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children.
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Infants

Overview of symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), or acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants.
[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.