ICD-10 Code K52.9 – Noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K52.9 – Noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified
What it is
K52.9 identifies noninfective inflammation of the stomach and intestines when the cause is not specified. Use it when the record documents gastroenteritis or colitis, but does not name an infectious organism or a more specific noninfectious type.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly recorded findings include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or colitis symptoms without evidence of infection or a defined alternative diagnosis.
When to use this code
Use K52.9 when the clinician documents noninfective gastroenteritis, noninfective colitis, or both, and no more specific code is available. It also fits cases where the cause is unclear in the note and infection has been ruled out or not stated. If the record names a specific subtype, choose that code instead.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for infectious gastroenteritis or colitis, including cases linked to a documented pathogen. Also avoid it when the chart clearly identifies a specific noninfectious disorder that has its own code. Check documentation.
Coding tip
Code K52.9 only when the provider’s documentation supports a nonspecific, noninfective diagnosis and no better code is documented.