Find comprehensive information on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease with Esophagitis, including clinical documentation tips, ICD-10-CM codes K21.0, medical coding guidelines, healthcare provider resources, symptoms of GERD, diagnosis of esophagitis, treatment options, and best practices for accurate medical record keeping. Learn about endoscopic findings in reflux esophagitis, complications of GERD, and effective management strategies. This resource is designed for physicians, nurses, coders, and other healthcare professionals seeking accurate and up-to-date information on GERD with esophagitis.
Also known as
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis
GERD with inflammation of the esophagus.
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease
Covers various forms of GERD, including with and without esophagitis.
Diseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenum
Encompasses a wider range of upper digestive tract disorders.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is esophagitis present with GERD?
Yes
With bleeding?
No
Is there reflux esophagitis documented?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
GERD with esophagitis |
GERD without esophagitis |
Eosinophilic esophagitis |
Coding GERD without specifying the esophagitis type (e.g., reflux, eosinophilic) leads to inaccurate severity and reimbursement.
Coding reflux symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation) instead of confirmed GERD with esophagitis can cause undercoding and lost revenue.
Lack of proper documentation (endoscopy, biopsy) to support esophagitis diagnosis poses an audit risk and potential denial of claims.
Patient presents with complaints consistent with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with esophagitis. Symptoms include heartburn, acid reflux, regurgitation, and dysphagia. The patient reports experiencing postprandial burning sensation in the retrosternal area radiating upwards, often exacerbated by lying down or bending over. Symptoms occur several times a week and interfere with sleep and daily activities. Physical examination reveals no significant abnormalities. Differential diagnoses considered include esophageal spasm, peptic ulcer disease, and angina. An upper endoscopy was performed, revealing esophageal inflammation and erosions consistent with esophagitis. Biopsies were taken and sent for histopathological analysis. The diagnosis of GERD with esophagitis was confirmed based on the patient's symptoms, endoscopic findings, and histopathology. Treatment plan includes lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes, weight management, and elevation of the head of the bed. Pharmacological therapy is initiated with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for symptom control and healing of the esophagitis. Patient education provided regarding GERD management, medication compliance, and follow-up care. Patient instructed to return for follow-up evaluation in four to eight weeks to assess treatment response and discuss further management strategies if needed. ICD-10 code K21.0 is assigned for esophagitis. CPT codes for the upper endoscopy and biopsy will be documented separately. Patient understands the plan of care and agrees to comply with the recommended treatment.