2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K21.01Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, with bleeding

ICD-10-CM Codes›K00–K95›K20-K31›K21

ICD-10-CM K21.01
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

K21.01 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for gastro-esophageal reflux disease with 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. Coders also document this condition as hemorrhage of lower esophagus due to erosive gastro-esophageal reflux disease. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Esophageal disorders and Gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
K21.01
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, with bleeding
Short Description
Gastro-esophageal reflux dis with esophagitis, with bleed
Parent Code
K21.0
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis

Code Classification

ChapterK00–K95Diseases of the digestive system
SectionK20-K31Diseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenum
CategoryK21Gastro-esophageal reflux disease
This CodeK21.01Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, with bleeding

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Hemorrhage of lower esophagus due to erosive gastro-esophageal reflux disease

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.

    • Allergy, allergic(reaction) (to)
      • milk protein
        • gastroesophageal reflux
          • with esophagitis (without bleeding)
            • with bleeding
    • Disease, diseased
      • gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
        • with esophagitis (without bleeding)
          • with bleeding
    • Esophagitis(acute) (alkaline) (chemical) (chronic) (infectional) (necrotic) (peptic) (postoperative) (without bleeding)
      • due to gastrointestinal reflux disease (without bleeding)
        • with bleeding
    • Esophagitis(acute) (alkaline) (chemical) (chronic) (infectional) (necrotic) (peptic) (postoperative) (without bleeding)
      • reflux
        • with bleeding
    • Reflux
      • esophageal
        • with esophagitis (without bleeding)
          • with bleeding
    • Reflux
      • gastroesophageal
        • with esophagitis (without bleeding)
          • with bleeding
    • Ulcer, ulcerated, ulcerating, ulceration, ulcerative
      • esophagus (peptic)
        • due to
          • gastrointestinal reflux disease (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

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 K21.01 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • K21.0 - Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with 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 K21.01Overview

Is K21.01 (Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does K21.01 group to?

When gastro-esophageal reflux disease with 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] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.