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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code K26
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K26

Duodenal ulcer

ICD-10-CM Code:
K26
ICD-10 Code for:
Duodenal ulcer
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the digestive system
    (K00–K95)
    • Diseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenum
      (K20-K31)
      • Duodenal ulcer
        (K26)

K26 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of duodenal ulcer. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Duodenal ulcer

Non-specific codes like K26 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for duodenal ulcer:

  • Use K26.0 for Acute duodenal ulcer with hemorrhage - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use K26.1 for Acute duodenal ulcer with perforation - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use K26.2 for Acute duodenal ulcer with both hemorrhage and perforation - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use K26.3 for Acute duodenal ulcer without hemorrhage or perforation - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use K26.4 for Chronic or unspecified duodenal ulcer with hemorrhage - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use K26.5 for Chronic or unspecified duodenal ulcer with perforation - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use K26.6 for Chronic or unspecified duodenal ulcer with both hemorrhage and perforation - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use K26.7 for Chronic duodenal ulcer without hemorrhage or perforation - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use K26.9 for Duodenal ulcer, unspecified as acute or chronic, without hemorrhage or perforation - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Duodenal Ulcer

    a peptic ulcer located in the duodenum.

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Includes

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

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

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

Patient Education


Peptic Ulcer

A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of your stomach or your duodenum, the first part of your small intestine. A burning stomach pain is the most common symptom. The pain:

  • Starts between meals or during the night
  • Briefly stops if you eat or take antacids
  • Lasts for minutes to hours
  • Comes and goes for several days or weeks

Peptic ulcers happen when the acids that help you digest food damage the walls of the stomach or duodenum. The most common cause is infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori. Another cause is the long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Stress and spicy foods do not cause ulcers, but can make them worse.

To see if you have an H. pylori infection, your doctor will test your blood, breath, or stool. Your doctor also may look inside your stomach and duodenum by doing an endoscopy or x-ray.

Peptic ulcers will get worse if not treated. Treatment may include medicines to reduce stomach acids or antibiotics to kill H. pylori. Antacids and milk can't heal peptic ulcers. Not smoking and avoiding alcohol can help. You may need surgery if your ulcers don't heal.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases


[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.