ICD-10 Code K20.91 – Esophagitis, unspecified with bleeding (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K20.91 – Esophagitis, unspecified with bleeding
What it is
K20.91 identifies inflammation of the esophagus when the type is not specified and bleeding is documented. Use it when the record supports esophagitis plus bleeding, but does not name a more specific cause.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include painful swallowing, heartburn, chest discomfort, or evidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for the exact cause and bleeding source.
When to use this code
Use K20.91 when the provider documents esophagitis and notes bleeding, such as hematemesis, melena, or bleeding seen on endoscopy. Apply it only when the record does not identify a more specific esophagitis type. If the documentation is unclear, check documentation before coding.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for esophagitis without bleeding, or when a specific type such as reflux, eosinophilic, or infectious esophagitis is documented. Check documentation if bleeding is not clearly linked to the esophageal inflammation.
Coding tip
Code the documented specificity first; if the type is named, do not default to unspecified.