Esophagitis (K20)
ICD-10 code K20 and its subcodes classify various types of esophagitis, an inflammation of the esophagus. These codes cover specific forms such as eosinophilic esophagitis, other esophagitis types with or without bleeding, and unspecified esophagitis, allowing precise documentation of esophageal inflammatory conditions.
For example, K20.0 identifies eosinophilic esophagitis, which may also be called chronic esophagitis or neonatal eosinophilic esophagitis. This code helps distinguish eosinophilic inflammation caused by factors like food or proton pump inhibitor response. The K20.8 series covers other esophagitis causes, such as varicella-zoster virus, autoimmune conditions, Crohn’s disease involvement, or radiation effects. The subcodes K20.80 and K20.81 differentiate cases without or with bleeding, essential for clinical and billing clarity. Unspecified esophagitis codes like K20.9, K20.90, and K20.91 include a wide range of causes from pill-induced to infectious esophagitis and bleeding esophageal inflammation. Understanding these distinctions helps medical coders correctly assign the ICD-10 code for esophagitis based on the patient’s specific diagnosis presentation.
Instructional Notations
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.
- erosion of esophagus K22.1
- esophagitis with gastro-esophageal reflux disease K21.0
- reflux esophagitis K21.0
- ulcerative esophagitis K22.1
Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
- eosinophilic gastritis or gastroenteritis K52.81
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
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.
