K21.9: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease without esophagitis
Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2027
What ICD-10-CM says
Includes
- Esophageal reflux NOS
Notes at K21, Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (they apply to every code under it)
Excludes1 (never coded with K21.9)
- newborn esophageal reflux (P78.83)
What K21.9 covers
K21.9 is for gastro-esophageal reflux disease when esophagitis is not documented. The tabular includes esophageal reflux NOS here, so a note that just says "reflux" or "GERD" lands on this code.
Primary care and gastroenterology use it often. The only sibling is K21.0-, GERD with esophagitis, which is subdivided by whether bleeding is present. Heartburn as a symptom without a GERD diagnosis is coded separately.
Billing and coding notes
K21.9 needs no further characters. If an endoscopy or the provider documents esophagitis, move to K21.0- and pick the bleeding status from the note.
The K21 category has an excludes1 for newborn esophageal reflux (P78.83). Reflux in a newborn is coded in the perinatal chapter, never with K21.9.
Related codes under K21
Questions about K21.9
What is the difference between K21.9 and K21.0?
K21.9 is GERD without esophagitis. K21.0- is GERD with esophagitis, split by whether there is bleeding. Use K21.0- only when esophagitis is documented.
Is K21.9 used for reflux in infants?
Not for newborns. Newborn esophageal reflux is an excludes1 at K21 and is coded P78.83.
ICD-10-CM in CloudMedico
In CloudMedico, a visit's diagnoses come from the current ICD-10-CM list. For US practices, the visit flags a code that isn't billable on its date, and a superbill made from an invoice carries the visit's diagnoses.
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