ICD-10 Code K29.21 – Alcoholic gastritis with bleeding (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K29.21 – Alcoholic gastritis with bleeding
What it is
K29.21 identifies gastritis linked to alcohol use when the stomach lining is inflamed and there is documented bleeding. Use it for a confirmed diagnosis, not for nonspecific abdominal discomfort alone.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include upper gastrointestinal bleeding, such as hematemesis or melena, with clinical evidence of gastritis. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use K29.21 when the provider documents alcoholic gastritis and specifies bleeding. It may apply during inpatient or outpatient encounters when the record links the gastritis to alcohol use and bleeding is part of the diagnosis. Check documentation if the note only says gastritis, alcohol abuse, or GI bleed separately.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for gastritis without bleeding, or for bleeding from another gastrointestinal source. If the alcohol connection or bleeding is unclear, check documentation.
Coding tip
Code the condition only when both alcoholism-related gastritis and bleeding are clearly documented by the provider.