Duodenal ulcer (K26) ICD-10-CM
The K26 code range covers duodenal ulcer with 10 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 9 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- erosion (acute) of duodenum
- duodenum ulcer (peptic)
- postpyloric ulcer (peptic)
Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
- code to identify:
- alcohol abuse and dependence F10
Type 1 Excludes
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.
- peptic ulcer NOS K27
Codes in the K26 Range 10 codes · 9 billable
- K26 Duodenal ulcerNon-billable
- K26.0 Acute duodenal ulcer with hemorrhage
- K26.1 Acute duodenal ulcer with perforation
- K26.2 Acute duodenal ulcer with both hemorrhage and perforation
- K26.3 Acute duodenal ulcer without hemorrhage or perforation
- K26.4 Chronic or unspecified duodenal ulcer with hemorrhage
- K26.5 Chronic or unspecified duodenal ulcer with perforation
- K26.6 Chronic or unspecified duodenal ulcer with both hemorrhage and perforation
- K26.7 Chronic duodenal ulcer without hemorrhage or perforation
- K26.9 Duodenal ulcer, unspecified as acute or chronic, without hemorrhage or perforation
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the K26 range.
Duodenal Ulcer
A PEPTIC ULCER located in the DUODENUM.
Essential Tremor
A relatively common disorder characterized by a fairly specific pattern of tremors which are most prominent in the upper extremities and neck, inducing titubations of the head. The tremor is usually mild, but when severe may be disabling. An autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance may occur in some families (i.e., familial tremor). (Mov Disord 1988;13(1):5-10)
About the K26 Code Range
ICD-10 code K26 is used to classify various types of duodenal ulcers, which are sores located in the first part of the small intestine. These codes detail whether the ulcer is acute or chronic, and if complications such as hemorrhage (bleeding) or perforation (a hole forming through the wall) are present.
This section includes codes for acute duodenal ulcers with hemorrhage (K26.0), perforation (K26.1), both hemorrhage and perforation (K26.2), or without these complications (K26.3). Chronic or unspecified ulcers are similarly categorized from K26.4 to K26.7, with distinctions based on presence or absence of hemorrhage and/or perforation. The unspecified code K26.9 covers duodenal ulcers not clearly defined as acute or chronic and without complications. These codes also relate to common synonyms such as “acute peptic ulcer with hemorrhage and obstruction” and “chronic duodenal ulcer with perforation,” helping medical coders identify the correct classification for clinical documentation and billing. Understanding these specific codes improves accuracy in coding conditions like duodenal ulcer with bleeding or intestinal rupture and assists healthcare professionals in treatment tracking.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the K26 range?
Of the 10 codes in this range, 9 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the K26 range classify?
The range classifies duodenal ulcer. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
