GERD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease) ICD-10 code
The ICD-10-CM code for gerd (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease) is K21.9 — gastro-esophageal reflux disease without esophagitis. It is billable and valid for submission on a claim. There are 14 related codes, and which one you use depends on what the documentation supports.
Also written as acid reflux, reflux, gastroesophageal reflux.
The mistake coders make here
K21.9 is GERD without oesophagitis. If oesophagitis is documented, you need K21.0-, and whether there is bleeding splits it further (K21.00 vs K21.01).
Putting gerd (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease) on a claim? Check the claim’s diagnosis codes free — Excludes1 conflicts, header codes and missing seventh characters, before it goes out.
All ICD-10-CM codes for gerd (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease)
9 of 14 are billable. Green means you can submit it as-is.
| Code | Use it when |
|---|---|
| K21.9 | Gastro-esophageal reflux disease without esophagitis |
| K21.00 | Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, without bleeding |
| K21.01 | Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, with bleeding |
| K21 | Gastro-esophageal reflux diseasenot billable on its own |
| K21.0 | Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitisnot billable on its own |
| P78.83 | Newborn esophageal reflux |
| K22.6 | Gastro-esophageal laceration-hemorrhage syndrome |
| T85.521 | Displacement of esophageal anti-reflux devicenot billable on its own |
| T85.521S | Displacement of esophageal anti-reflux device, sequela |
| T85.511 | Breakdown (mechanical) of esophageal anti-reflux devicenot billable on its own |
| T85.591 | Other mechanical complication of esophageal anti-reflux devicenot billable on its own |
| T85.511S | Breakdown (mechanical) of esophageal anti-reflux device, sequela |
| T85.521A | Displacement of esophageal anti-reflux device, initial encounter |
| T85.521D | Displacement of esophageal anti-reflux device, subsequent encounter |
Once you have the code
- Check the whole claim — Excludes1 conflicts and missing seventh characters, free
- Denial codes explained — what CO-16, CO-97 and the rest actually mean
- Decision guides — walk a chart note to a code, guideline cited
- Everything here that is free — and the one thing no free tool includes