Find comprehensive information on Helicobacter pylori diagnosis including clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare guidelines. Learn about H. pylori testing, ICD-10 codes for H. pylori infection, and SNOMED CT concepts related to Helicobacter pylori. This resource provides details on diagnosing H. pylori, laboratory procedures, and best practices for documenting H. pylori infections in medical records for accurate billing and coding. Explore resources for healthcare professionals on managing and treating Helicobacter pylori.
Also known as
Gastritis and duodenitis
Covers H. pylori infections causing gastritis/duodenitis.
Bacterial, viral and other agents
Includes H. pylori as a bacterial agent affecting the digestive system.
Duodenal ulcer
Can be used when H. pylori is a factor in duodenal ulcers.
Gastric ulcer
Can be used when H. pylori is a factor in gastric ulcers.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is H. pylori infection active?
Yes
Any specified site?
No
History of H. pylori?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Helicobacter pylori infection |
| Gastritis, unspecified |
| Peptic ulcer disease |
Using unspecified codes (e.g., K25.9) when documentation supports a more specific diagnosis (e.g., active gastritis) leads to undercoding and lost revenue.
Incorrect coding for H. pylori tests (e.g., urea breath test, biopsy) can cause claim denials and compliance issues. Ensure accurate CPT code selection.
Billing separately for services included in the H. pylori eradication therapy package (e.g., antibiotics, PPIs) violates bundling rules and invites audits.
Patient presents with symptoms suggestive of Helicobacter pylori infection, including epigastric pain, dyspepsia, bloating, and nausea. The patient reports intermittent burning or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen, often relieved by food or antacids. Past medical history is significant for (insert relevant past medical history, e.g., GERD, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease). Family history is positive negative for gastric cancer. Physical examination reveals mild epigastric tenderness on palpation. Differential diagnosis includes gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, functional dyspepsia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). To confirm H. pylori infection, diagnostic testing will be performed, including urea breath test, stool antigen test, or endoscopic biopsy with rapid urease test or histopathology. Depending on the diagnostic results, treatment for H. pylori will be initiated, typically consisting of triple or quadruple therapy with proton pump inhibitors, antibiotics such as clarithromycin, amoxicillin, metronidazole, and bismuth subsalicylate. Treatment duration is typically 10-14 days. Patient education regarding medication compliance, lifestyle modifications including dietary adjustments and smoking cessation, and follow-up testing to confirm H. pylori eradication will be provided. ICD-10 code K25.5 (chronic gastritis with Helicobacter pylori) or B96.81 (Helicobacter pylori as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere) and relevant CPT codes for diagnostic tests and procedures will be documented for billing and coding purposes. Potential complications such as peptic ulcer bleeding, gastric cancer, and MALT lymphoma will be discussed with the patient.