ICD-10 Code K31.A – Gastric intestinal metaplasia (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K31.A – Gastric intestinal metaplasia
What it is
K31.A identifies intestinal metaplasia in the stomach, where the normal gastric lining is replaced by tissue resembling intestinal mucosa. It is a histologic finding, usually confirmed on biopsy.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. It is often found during endoscopy for gastritis, dyspepsia, or surveillance, with pathology describing metaplastic change in gastric mucosa.
When to use this code
Use this code when the pathology or provider documents gastric intestinal metaplasia. It may appear in biopsy results from the antrum or other stomach sites and can be listed during follow-up or surveillance visits. Code it only when the diagnosis is clearly stated.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for nonspecific gastritis, dyspepsia, or a family history of gastric disease without documented metaplasia. Check documentation if the report mentions dysplasia, malignancy, or a different gastric lesion.
Coding tip
Code from the biopsy or final pathology report, and make sure the stomach site and exact wording support intestinal metaplasia.