2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K22.3Perforation of esophagus
ICD-10-CM Codes›K00–K95›K20-K31›K22
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
K22.3 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for perforation of esophagus. 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 perforated carcinoma of esophagus. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Esophageal disorders and Gastrointestinal and biliary perforation.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Perforated carcinoma of esophagus
- Perforation of esophagus
- Rupture of esophagus
- Spontaneous rupture of esophagus
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Rupture of esophagus
Type 1 Excludes
- traumatic perforation of thoracic esophagus S27.8
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
- Perforation, perforated (nontraumatic) (of)
- esophagus - K22.3
- esophagus - K22.3
- Syndrome - See Also: Disease;
- Boerhaave's - K22.3
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.
- Boerhaave's syndrome(spontaneous esophageal rupture)
- Perforation, perforated(nontraumatic) (of)
- esophagus
- Rupture, ruptured
- esophagus
- Syndrome
- Boerhaave's
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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.
Convert K22.3 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About K22.3Overview
Is K22.3 (Other diseases of esophagus) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report perforation of esophagus on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does K22.3 group to?
When perforation of esophagus 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.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of K22.3?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, perforation of esophagus converts to ICD-9-CM 530.4 (perforation of esophagus). The mapping is a direct match.
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.
