ICD-10 Codes to Document Gastritis, a Common Gastroenterology Condition

ICD-10 Codes to Document Gastritis, a Common Gastroenterology Condition

Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. Read about the causes, symptoms and treatment of this condition along with the ICD-10 codes.

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Gastritis is a common condition that occurs due to an inflammation of the protective lining of the stomach. Injury or other weaknesses to the mucus-lined barrier (that protects the stomach wall) allows your digestive juices to damage and inflame your stomach lining. The inflammation of the stomach lining is often the result of infection caused by an H. pylori bacterium. In addition, regular use of certain pain relievers (like aspirin, ibuprofen or other painkillers) and excessive use of alcohol or cocaine can also contribute to this condition. The condition can be either acute (that occurs suddenly) or chronic (that appears slowly over time). In some cases, it can increase the risk of other conditions such as stomach ulcers, bleeding, or cancer. For most people, gastritis may not be serious and improves quickly with treatment. However, if left untreated, it may lead to stomach ulcers and bleeding. Some rare forms of chronic gastritis may increase the risk of stomach cancer, especially if the patient has extensive thinning of the stomach lining and changes in the lining's cells. Billing and coding for gastritis is a challenging task. Outsourcing gastroenterology medical billing is a practical solution for providers to stay current on changing codes and billing rules, and ensure proper payment for the services rendered.

Types of Gastritis The condition is generally classified according to the severity of inflammation and whether it develops suddenly or slowly over time, whether it is long lasting, or comes and goes quickly. The different types of gastritis are 

Acute Gastritis - Acute gastritis involves sudden, severe inflammation of the stomach and can include serious complications like hemorrhages and/or erosion. The most common cause of acute gastritis is the overuse of non-steroidal antiinflammatory (NSAID) drugs like ibuprofen, sodium naproxen, and diclofenac. Other related causes can be alcohol abuse, corticosteroids, chemotherapy, myocardial infarction, and even stress.

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Chronic gastritis - Chronic gastritis involves long-term inflammation that can last for years if left untreated. When the stomach lining becomes inflamed repeatedly or for an extended period of time, it loses protective cells and functions. Common symptoms include upper abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, loss of appetite, and indigestion. There are three forms of chronic gastritis. Type A develops primarily in the body of the stomach and is often related to an autoimmune system disorder, such as pernicious anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency). Type B chronic gastritis develops primarily in the lower part of the stomach (called the pylorus) and is usually related to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Type AB gastritis is a

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combination of these two forms and develops both in the body of the stomach and the pylorus. This type is directly related to H. pylori infection. 

Erosive Gastritis - A less common form of gastritis among patients, this type leads to the formation of ulcers and bleeding in the lining of the stomach instead of inflammation. The condition is generally caused due to overuse of steroids, NSAIDs, or anti-inflammatory drugs. On the other hand, it may also occur due to damages to the stomach lining through medical conditions like Crohn’s disease, infections from bacteria and food allergies. Common symptoms include - vomiting of blood or black colored stool.

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Alcoholic Gastritis – As the name suggests, this condition is caused by the consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol. Alcohol can limit the stomach’s ability to produce acids, which often results in inflammation. Symptoms include pain in the upper abdomen area, loss of appetite, vomiting, or bloating.

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Duodenitis - A condition very similar to gastritis, duodenitis occurs when the first section of the small intestine gets damaged and inflammation occurs. The main causes of this condition are the H. pylori bacteria and consumption of NSAID drugs.

What Are the Common Symptoms?

People with gastritis may not always experience any specific or visible symptoms. In certain other cases, symptoms may occur which include – 

Belching

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Vomiting

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Nausea

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Indigestion

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Gnawing or burning ache or pain (indigestion) in your upper abdomen that may become either worse or better with eating

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A feeling of fullness in your upper abdomen after eating

If the stomach lining has been worn away (erosive gastritis) and exposed to stomach acid, symptoms may include pain, vomiting blood, bleeding or a stomach ulcer.

Diagnosing and Treating Gastritis Diagnosis of the condition begins with a detailed review of medical history and performing certain tests to pinpoint the exact causes. These diagnostic tests include - tests for H. pylori (by way of blood, breath, or stool testing), endoscopy and electrocardiogram. In some

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cases, gastritis will be diagnosed by performing X-rays of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. In addition, physicians may also ask for tests to evaluate the kidney and liver function, checks for anemia, gallbladder and pancreas function tests, and pregnancy tests. If these tests are uncertain, physicians may perform an upper endoscopy - which involves the insertion of a thin, flexible, illuminated viewing tube into the abdomen through the mouth to examine the stomach.

Treatment modalities for this condition depend on the specific causes. Acute gastritis – which is caused by excessive consumption of non - steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or alcohol, may be relieved by stopping the use of those substances. Other treatment options include - antibiotic medications (to kill H. pylori), medications to block acid production and promote healing, and medications to reduce acid production and antacids (that neutralize stomach acid). Combining these treatments with the recommended dietary changes can help tackle gastritis in an easy manner.

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gastroenterologists or other specialists must be carefully documented using the correct medical codes. Medical billing services provided by established medical billing companies help physicians use the correct ICD-10 codes for their billing purposes. ICD-10 codes for gastritis include – K29 Gastritis and duodenitis K29.0 Acute gastritis 

K29.00 …… without bleeding

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K29.01 …… with bleeding

K29.2 Alcoholic gastritis 

K29.20 …… without bleeding

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K29.21 …… with bleeding

K29.3 Chronic superficial gastritis 

K29.30 …… without bleeding

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K29.31 …… with bleeding

K29.4 Chronic atrophic gastritis

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

K29.40 …… without bleeding

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K29.41 …… with bleeding

K29.5 Unspecified chronic gastritis 

K29.50 …… without bleeding

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K29.51 …… with bleeding

K29.6 Other gastritis 

K29.60 …… without bleeding

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K29.61 …… with bleeding

K29.7 Gastritis, unspecified 

K29.70 …… without bleeding

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K29.71 …… with bleeding

K29.8 Duodenitis 

K29.80 …… without bleeding

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K29.81 …… with bleeding

K29.9 Gastroduodenitis, unspecified 

K29.90 …… without bleeding



K29.91 …… with bleeding

The chances for gastritis prevention depend on the underlying causes. People can reduce the risk of developing gastritis by practicing certain self-care measures like - practicing good hand-washing hygiene habits (as this reduces the risk of contracting H. pylori.), avoiding alcohol and other irritating foods, eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding frequent use of pain killers.

Partnering with a reliable and experienced medical billing and coding company can ensure accurate reporting of gastroenterology procedures. Established companies will have experienced AAPC-certified coders who have considerable knowledge about billing and coding guidelines which can ensure accurate claims for optimal reimbursement.

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