Introduction
Gastroenterology is a complex specialty that deals with disorders of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. Proper coding with ICD-10 is essential for gastroenterologists to document diagnoses, ensure accurate medical billing, and receive insurance reimbursements.
From common conditions like acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to more severe disorders such as Crohn’s disease, liver cirrhosis, and colorectal cancer, using the correct ICD-10 codes is crucial for practice efficiency and revenue cycle management.
A cloud-based EHR like DocVilla provides automated ICD-10 coding, real-time claim validation, and streamlined documentation, reducing errors and improving practice workflows.
This guide includes a comprehensive list of ICD-10 codes for gastroenterology, along with best practices for medical billing and documentation.
1. Common ICD-10 Codes for Gastrointestinal Disorders
A. Acid Reflux and Esophageal Disorders
- K21.0 – Gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophagitis
- K21.9 – Gastroesophageal reflux disease without esophagitis
- K22.2 – Esophageal obstruction
- K22.4 – Dyskinesia of esophagus
- K22.70 – Barrett’s esophagus without dysplasia
- K22.71 – Barrett’s esophagus with low-grade dysplasia
- K22.72 – Barrett’s esophagus with high-grade dysplasia
B. Gastritis and Peptic Ulcer Disease
- K29.00 – Acute gastritis without bleeding
- K29.01 – Acute gastritis with bleeding
- K29.30 – Chronic superficial gastritis without bleeding
- K29.31 – Chronic superficial gastritis with bleeding
- K25.0 – Acute gastric ulcer with hemorrhage
- K25.1 – Acute gastric ulcer with perforation
- K25.7 – Chronic gastric ulcer without hemorrhage or perforation
C. Helicobacter Pylori Infection
- B96.81 – Helicobacter pylori as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
2. Common ICD-10 Codes for Intestinal Disorders
A. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Functional Bowel Disorders
- K58.0 – Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea
- K58.1 – Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation
- K58.2 – Mixed irritable bowel syndrome
- K58.8 – Other irritable bowel syndrome
- K59.00 – Constipation, unspecified
- K59.09 – Other constipation
- K59.1 – Functional diarrhea
B. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Crohn’s Disease
- K50.00 – Crohn’s disease of the small intestine without complications
- K50.011 – Crohn’s disease of the small intestine with rectal bleeding
- K50.012 – Crohn’s disease of the small intestine with intestinal obstruction
- K50.013 – Crohn’s disease of the small intestine with fistula
- K50.014 – Crohn’s disease of the small intestine with abscess
- K50.019 – Crohn’s disease of the small intestine with other complications
C. Ulcerative Colitis
- K51.00 – Ulcerative (chronic) pancolitis without complications
- K51.011 – Ulcerative (chronic) pancolitis with rectal bleeding
- K51.012 – Ulcerative (chronic) pancolitis with intestinal obstruction
- K51.013 – Ulcerative (chronic) pancolitis with fistula
- K51.014 – Ulcerative (chronic) pancolitis with abscess
- K51.019 – Ulcerative (chronic) pancolitis with other complications
3. Common ICD-10 Codes for Liver and Pancreatic Disorders
A. Liver Diseases and Cirrhosis
- K74.60 – Unspecified cirrhosis of liver
- K74.69 – Other cirrhosis of liver
- K75.4 – Autoimmune hepatitis
- K76.0 – Fatty (change of) liver, not elsewhere classified
- K76.89 – Other specified diseases of liver
B. Hepatitis and Liver Infections
- B18.0 – Chronic viral hepatitis B without delta-agent
- B18.1 – Chronic viral hepatitis B with delta-agent
- B18.2 – Chronic viral hepatitis C
- B18.8 – Other chronic viral hepatitis
C. Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Disorders
- K85.0 – Idiopathic acute pancreatitis
- K85.1 – Alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis
- K85.2 – Other infectious acute pancreatitis
- K85.8 – Other acute pancreatitis
- K85.9 – Acute pancreatitis, unspecified
- K86.0 – Chronic pancreatitis
- K86.1 – Other chronic pancreatitis
4. Common ICD-10 Codes for Gastrointestinal Cancers
A. Stomach and Esophageal Cancer
- C16.0 – Malignant neoplasm of cardia
- C16.1 – Malignant neoplasm of fundus of stomach
- C16.2 – Malignant neoplasm of body of stomach
- C16.3 – Malignant neoplasm of pyloric antrum
- C15.0 – Malignant neoplasm of cervical esophagus
- C15.1 – Malignant neoplasm of thoracic esophagus
B. Colorectal Cancer
- C18.0 – Malignant neoplasm of cecum
- C18.2 – Malignant neoplasm of ascending colon
- C18.3 – Malignant neoplasm of hepatic flexure
- C18.4 – Malignant neoplasm of transverse colon
- C18.5 – Malignant neoplasm of splenic flexure
- C18.6 – Malignant neoplasm of descending colon
5. Best Practices for Gastroenterology ICD-10 Coding and Billing
A. Automating ICD-10 Coding with AI-Powered EHR
A cloud-based EHR like DocVilla helps gastroenterologists:
- Auto-suggest the most relevant ICD-10 codes
- Reduce manual documentation errors
- Improve accuracy in linking diagnosis codes with procedures
B. Claim Scrubbing and Billing Automation
With AI-driven claim validation, DocVilla ensures:
- Minimal claim denials due to incorrect ICD-10 coding
- Real-time compliance checks before claim submission
- Faster insurance reimbursements
C. Telemedicine and Gastroenterology Coding Integration
As telehealth expands, EHRs must:
- Support virtual visit coding (CPT 99441-99443)
- Enable secure patient image uploads for remote GI assessments
- Ensure compliance with GI telehealth reimbursement policies
6. Conclusion: Simplify Gastroenterology ICD-10 Coding with DocVilla
Accurate ICD-10 coding is crucial for gastroenterologists to maximize reimbursements, minimize claim denials, and improve documentation accuracy. DocVilla’s AI-powered EHR and medical billing software ensures that:
- Gastroenterology practices automate ICD-10 coding for efficiency
- Specialty-specific billing tools reduce revenue loss
- Telehealth services are seamlessly integrated for virtual GI consultations
To see how DocVilla can optimize your gastroenterology practice’s documentation and billing, schedule a free demo today.