What is this code?
ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95).
When is it used?
- May be used when a clinician documents gastric ulcer in a patient's medical record.
- May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
- This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.
What it does not mean
- A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
- A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
- This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.
Code hierarchy
chapter
11Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95)
block
K20-K31Diseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenum
currentK20-K31
Official coding notes
Includes
- erosion (acute) of stomach
- pylorus ulcer (peptic)
- stomach ulcer (peptic)
Applicable to
- code to identify:
- alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)
Excludes1 (do not code together)
- acute gastritis (K29.0-)
- peptic ulcer NOS (K27.-)
Use additional code
- code to identify:
- alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)
Where you may see this code
You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.
Related specialists
GastroenterologistGeneral Physician
Related codes
K25.0Acute gastric ulcer with hemorrhagecodeK25.1Acute gastric ulcer with perforationcodeK25.2Acute gastric ulcer with both hemorrhage and perforationcodeK25.3Acute gastric ulcer without hemorrhage or perforationcodeK25.4Chronic or unspecified gastric ulcer with hemorrhagecodeK25.5Chronic or unspecified gastric ulcer with perforationcodeK25.6Chronic or unspecified gastric ulcer with both hemorrhage and perforationcodeK25.7Chronic gastric ulcer without hemorrhage or perforationcodeK25.9Gastric ulcer, unspecified as acute or chronic, without hemorrhage or perforationcode
Sibling codes
K20EsophagitisK21Gastro-esophageal reflux diseaseK22Other diseases of esophagusK23Disorders of esophagus in diseases classified elsewherebillableK26Duodenal ulcerK27Peptic ulcer, site unspecifiedK28Gastrojejunal ulcerK29Gastritis and duodenitisK30Functional dyspepsiabillableK31Other diseases of stomach and duodenum
Coding guidelines
Compatibility
Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.
Legacy codes
K25
Replacement codes
K25.0 — Acute gastric ulcer with hemorrhageK25.1 — Acute gastric ulcer with perforationK25.2 — Acute gastric ulcer with both hemorrhage and perforationK25.3 — Acute gastric ulcer without hemorrhage or perforationK25.4 — Chronic or unspecified gastric ulcer with hemorrhageK25.5 — Chronic or unspecified gastric ulcer with perforationK25.6 — Chronic or unspecified gastric ulcer with both hemorrhage and perforationK25.7 — Chronic gastric ulcer without hemorrhage or perforationK25.9 — Gastric ulcer, unspecified as acute or chronic, without hemorrhage or perforation
Common synonyms
Gastric ulcer
Frequently asked questions
About this content
This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.