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ICD-10 Coding for Acute Gastritis(K29.0, K29.01)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Acute Gastritis. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Acute Stomach Inflammation

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Acute Gastritis

K29.0-K29.9Primary Range

Gastritis and duodenitis

This range includes all forms of gastritis, with K29.0 specifically for acute gastritis.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
K29.0Acute gastritisUse when acute gastritis is confirmed without bleeding.
  • Endoscopy showing mucosal erythema or erosions
  • Negative or positive H. pylori test
K29.01Acute gastritis with bleedingUse when acute gastritis is confirmed with bleeding.
  • Endoscopy showing mucosal bleeding
  • Documented hematemesis or melena

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for acute gastritis

Essential facts and insights about Acute Gastritis

The ICD-10 code for acute gastritis is K29.0, with K29.01 used if bleeding is present.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for acute gastritis

Acute gastritis
Non-billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Acute onset of symptoms with endoscopic confirmation

Applicable To

  • Acute gastritis without bleeding

Excludes

  • Erosive gastritis (K25.-)
  • Eosinophilic gastritis (K52.81)
  • Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (E16.4)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Endoscopy showing mucosal erythema or erosions
  • Negative or positive H. pylori test

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification with alcoholic gastritis if alcohol use is noted but not causative.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies acute onset and excludes chronic conditions.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Other abdominal pain

R10.8
Use if severe or poorly localized abdominal pain is documented.

Alcohol abuse, uncomplicated

F10.10
Use if alcohol use is documented as contributing to the condition.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Alcoholic gastritis

K29.2
Use K29.2 only if alcohol is confirmed as the direct cause.

Unspecified gastritis with bleeding

K29.71
Use K29.71 if the type of gastritis is not specified as acute.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Acute Gastritis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code K29.0.

Impact

Clinical: Misrepresentation of patient condition severity., Regulatory: Potential audit issues., Financial: Loss of appropriate reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure endoscopy findings are included in the record., Verify documentation of hematemesis or melena.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to incorrect DRG assignment., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Query provider to confirm if gastritis is alcohol-induced.

Impact

Failure to link alcohol use to gastritis can lead to incorrect coding.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure clear documentation of causality if alcohol is involved.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Acute Gastritis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Acute Gastritis

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Acute Gastritis. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Emergency Department Presentation

Specialty: Gastroenterology

Required Elements

  • Acute onset of symptoms
  • Endoscopic findings
  • H. pylori status

Example Documentation

Patient presents with sudden-onset epigastric pain and nausea. EGD shows mucosal erythema. H. pylori negative.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has stomach pain.
Good Documentation Example
Patient presents with acute epigastric pain, EGD shows mucosal erythema.
Explanation
The good example provides specific location and diagnostic findings.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Acute Gastritis? Ask your questions below.

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