ICD-10-CM 2026 · Effective October 1, 2025

ICD-10 K21.01

Billable / Specific MCC

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, with bleeding

K21
Block
0
Synonyms
324
LCDs
12
Payer Policies
0
Linked CPTs

About ICD-10-CM K21.01

ICD-10-CM code K21.01 represents Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, with bleeding. This is a billable/specific code in the Digestive System chapter (block K21). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM K21.01 became effective on October 1, 2025.

Coding Tips for K21.01

Specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team. Specificity warnings, HCC capture rules, sequencing notes.

Inpatient DRG impact: MCC

K21.01 is designated MCC for MS-DRG grouping. On inpatient claims, this code can shift the DRG to the with-MCC variant when documented as a present-on-admission secondary diagnosis. Hospital CDI programs flag MCC opportunities during chart review. Failure to capture this code may leave 30 to 80 percent of the inpatient stay revenue unrealized.

Inpatient DRG Impact, MCC

codes Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, with bleeding. As a Major Complication/Comorbidity (MCC), this can shift the DRG assignment to a higher-weighted category, substantial reimbursement impact.

Medicare LCD Coverage for K21.01

Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list K21.01 as a covered diagnosis.

324 LCDs

Showing top 10 of 324 total . Click a CPT for full coverage scope.

CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis
Article ID: 56421, Effective: 2025-11-01 00:00:00, 5389 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 74170 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis
Article ID: 56421, Effective: 2025-11-01 00:00:00, 5389 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 74177 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis
Article ID: 56421, Effective: 2025-11-01 00:00:00, 5389 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 74160 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis
Article ID: 56421, Effective: 2025-11-01 00:00:00, 5389 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 74178 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis
Article ID: 56421, Effective: 2025-11-01 00:00:00, 5389 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 74150 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis
Article ID: 56421, Effective: 2025-11-01 00:00:00, 5389 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 72194 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis
Article ID: 56421, Effective: 2025-11-01 00:00:00, 5389 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 74176 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis
Article ID: 56421, Effective: 2025-11-01 00:00:00, 5389 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 72192 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis
Article ID: 56421, Effective: 2025-11-01 00:00:00, 5389 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 72193 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Endoscopic Treatment of GERD
Article ID: 56395, Effective: 2023-10-01 00:00:00, 3 covered, 1 non-covered
CPT 49999 →

Commercial Payer Coverage

Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing K21.01.

12 policies

5 Medicare

Billing and Coding: Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Visualization
Policy ID: ART-56389
Billing and Coding: Endoscopic Treatment of GERD
Policy ID: ART-56395
Billing and Coding: CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis
Policy ID: ART-56421
Billing and Coding: Bariatric Surgical Management of Morbid Obesity
Policy ID: ART-56422
Billing and Coding: Swallowing Studies for Dysphagia
Policy ID: ART-56621

1 Aetna

Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Gastrointestinal Biopsy
Policy ID: CPB-0738

CPT Codes Commonly Billed with K21.01

Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.

No procedure linkages on file for K21.01

We don't have CPT pairings indexed for this specific code yet. Use the CPT search above to find common procedures, or check your payer's published medical policy for code-specific guidance.

ICD-10 K21.01, Billing FAQ

Is ICD-10 code K21.01 billable? +

Yes, K21.01 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can appear as a primary or secondary diagnosis on claims.

Is K21.01 a CC or MCC for inpatient DRG? +

Yes, this code is designated as MCC. Documenting as a secondary diagnosis on inpatient claims can shift the DRG to a higher-weighted category.

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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team

Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.

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