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K30
ICD-10-CM
Dyspepsia

Find information on Dyspepsia (Indigestion) diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare resources. Learn about Functional Dyspepsia symptoms, treatment, and management. This resource provides relevant information for healthcare professionals, clinicians, and medical coders seeking accurate and up-to-date information on Dyspepsia (ICD-10 code K30).

Also known as

Indigestion
Functional Dyspepsia

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen, often after eating.
  • Clinical Signs : Bloating, belching, nausea, fullness, heartburn, upper abdominal pain.
  • Common Settings : Primary care, gastroenterology clinics, seen with GERD, IBS.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC K30 Coding
K30

Dyspepsia

Covers various forms of indigestion and functional dyspepsia.

R10-R19

Symptoms and signs involving the abdomen and pelvis

Includes abdominal pain and other digestive symptoms that may accompany dyspepsia.

K20-K31

Diseases of oesophagus, stomach and duodenum

Encompasses conditions related to the upper digestive tract that can cause dyspepsia.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is the dyspepsia organic (identifiable cause)?

  • Yes

    Specify the underlying cause.

  • No

    Is the dyspepsia functional (no organic cause)?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Upper abdominal discomfort, fullness, bloating.
Stomach inflammation often caused by H. pylori infection.
Open sores in the stomach lining, often caused by NSAID use.

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Document symptom onset, duration, and frequency.
  • Describe character of symptoms (e.g., burning, bloating, fullness).
  • Rule out organic causes (e.g., H. pylori, GERD) with appropriate tests.
  • Record patient's response to previous treatments, if any.
  • Specify dyspepsia type (e.g., epigastric pain syndrome, postprandial distress syndrome).

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Dyspepsia

    Coding unspecified dyspepsia (R12) without documenting specific symptoms or causes risks underpayment and claim denials. CDI can clarify.

  • Overlap with GERD

    Dyspepsia and GERD share symptoms. Accurate diagnosis coding requires distinguishing between them for proper reimbursement and quality metrics.

  • Symptom vs. Disease Coding

    Coding dyspepsia symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting) instead of the diagnosis itself can lead to inaccurate reporting and affect clinical documentation integrity.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • ICD-10 K30, R12: Document meal timing, symptoms, HPI for dyspepsia.
  • CPT 43235, 99213: Assess and code for underlying causes (GERD, ulcers).
  • CDI: Query for symptom specifics (bloating, pain) to support K30.
  • Compliance: Avoid upcoding. Link symptoms to justify testing for dyspepsia.
  • Lifestyle changes (smaller meals, stress reduction) for functional dyspepsia.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Confirm symptom onset, duration, and character (ICD-10: K30, R12).
  • Exclude alarming features: weight loss, dysphagia, bleeding (patient safety).
  • Document H. pylori test and/or endoscopy findings (EGD CPT codes).
  • Consider medication review for contributing factors (drug-induced dyspepsia).

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Dyspepsia (ICD-10-CM K30, R12) reimbursement impacts depend on documentation supporting symptom etiology (organic vs. functional) and comorbid conditions. Accurate coding maximizes appropriate reimbursement.
  • Coding dyspepsia impacts quality metrics for gastrointestinal diagnoses. Proper documentation of symptoms, investigations, and management is crucial for accurate reporting.
  • Miscoding dyspepsia as other GI disorders can negatively affect hospital case mix index and quality scores. Physician education on dyspepsia coding guidelines is essential.
  • Specificity in dyspepsia documentation improves data for performance measurement, resource allocation, and research. This supports value-based care and optimized reimbursement strategies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions and Answers

Q: What are the most effective evidence-based strategies for managing refractory functional dyspepsia in adults?

A: Managing refractory functional dyspepsia (also known as indigestion) requires a multifaceted approach tailored to the individual patient. Begin by ruling out organic causes through thorough history taking, physical examination, and appropriate investigations such as upper endoscopy, H. pylori testing, and possibly gastric emptying studies. For persistent symptoms despite negative initial workup, evidence-based strategies include: dietary modifications (e.g., low-FODMAP diet, avoiding trigger foods), psychological interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for stress management, and pharmacotherapy. Prokinetic agents, tricyclic antidepressants at low doses, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have shown efficacy in some patients. Consider implementing a step-up approach starting with lifestyle changes, then adding pharmacological interventions as needed. Explore how combination therapies might benefit patients who don't respond to monotherapy. Remember to address any comorbid conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), anxiety, and depression, as these can exacerbate dyspepsia. Learn more about the Rome IV criteria for diagnosing functional dyspepsia to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Q: How can clinicians differentiate between dyspepsia caused by gastroparesis vs. other functional dyspepsia subtypes in clinical practice?

A: Distinguishing between gastroparesis and other functional dyspepsia subtypes relies on careful evaluation of symptom presentation and diagnostic testing. While both conditions share overlapping symptoms like postprandial fullness, nausea, and early satiety, gastroparesis is characterized by delayed gastric emptying. Clinicians should inquire about specific symptoms suggestive of delayed emptying, such as vomiting of undigested food hours after a meal. A gastric emptying study is the gold standard for diagnosing gastroparesis, confirming delayed emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Other functional dyspepsia subtypes, such as epigastric pain syndrome and postprandial distress syndrome, are diagnosed based on Rome IV criteria, emphasizing symptom patterns rather than objective measures of gastric motility. Consider implementing validated symptom questionnaires to aid in the diagnostic process. Explore how standardized diagnostic criteria can improve the accuracy and consistency of diagnosing different dyspepsia subtypes. Learn more about the role of prokinetics in managing confirmed gastroparesis.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code dyspepsia as K30
  • Exclude ulcers, GERD
  • Document meal timing
  • Query physician for details
  • Consider epigastric pain code

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints consistent with dyspepsia, also known as indigestion or functional dyspepsia.  Symptoms include postprandial fullness, early satiety, epigastric pain, and epigastric burning.  The patient denies heartburn, regurgitation, or dysphagia.  Onset of symptoms is reported as (duration).  Symptoms are (frequency) and (aggravating/alleviating factors).  Physical examination reveals (findings).  Differential diagnoses considered include peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, and cholelithiasis.  Based on patient history, physical examination, and absence of alarm symptoms such as unintentional weight loss, anemia, or gastrointestinal bleeding, a diagnosis of functional dyspepsia is made.  Initial management includes lifestyle modifications such as dietary adjustments, stress reduction, and avoiding trigger foods.  Pharmacological therapy with antacids, H2 receptor antagonists, or proton pump inhibitors may be considered.  Patient education regarding symptom management and follow-up care was provided.  ICD-10 code K30 will be used for billing purposes.  Return visit scheduled for (date) to reassess symptom control and discuss further management options if needed.