Esophageal Varices ICD-10-CM Codes

Dive into the ICD-10-CM codes associated with esophageal varices, ensuring clear medical documentation, appropriate billing, and informed treatment planning for 2023.

By Patricia Buenaventura on Aug 8, 2025.

Fact Checked by Nate Lacson.

Use Code

What ICD-10 Codes are Used for Esophageal Varices?

Esophageal varices are enlarged and swollen blood vessels in the esophagus, typically resulting from significant liver disease. Proper coding of esophageal varices is crucial for effective patient care, accurate billing, and research. The ICD-10-CM facilitates this by offering standardized codes for such conditions.

Commonly Used ICD-10-CM Codes for Esophageal Varices:

I85.00 - Esophageal varices without bleeding

Presence of enlarged blood vessels in the esophagus without any active bleeding.

I85.01 - Esophageal varices with bleeding

Swollen blood vessels in the esophagus that are actively bleeding.

I85.10 - Secondary esophageal varices without bleeding

Development of esophageal varices due to another condition (e.g., heart failure) without any active bleeding.

I85.11 - Secondary esophageal varices with bleeding

Development of esophageal varices due to another condition (e.g., heart failure) that are currently bleeding.

Which Esophageal Varices ICD codes are Billable?

I85.00 - Yes
I85.01 - Yes
I85.10 - Yes
I85.11 - Yes

Clinical Information

Esophageal varices are abnormal, enlarged veins in the lower part of the esophagus.
Most commonly associated with cirrhosis or severe liver disease.
As the liver becomes scarred, blood flow is obstructed, causing blood to back up into smaller vessels like those in the esophagus, leading to varices.
These varices can rupture and bleed, causing a medical emergency.
Symptoms may include vomiting blood, tarry or bloody stools, or in some cases, there may be no symptoms until bleeding starts.
Diagnosis usually involves an endoscopy.
Treatment can include medications, banding procedures to stop bleeding, or shunt surgery in severe cases.

Synonyms Include:

Varicose veins of the esophagus
Esophageal varicosities
Swollen esophageal veins
Esophageal venous plexus enlargement
Dilated esophageal veins

Commonly asked questions

An Esophageal Varices ICD code should be used when a patient is diagnosed with swollen blood vessels in the esophagus, either through symptoms, endoscopy, or other diagnostic methods.

Treatments often include medications to reduce blood pressure in the liver, endoscopic band ligation to tie off bleeding varices, and shunt surgeries to reroute blood flow.

A diagnosis code for Esophageal Varices signifies the presence of enlarged blood vessels in the esophagus, which may or may not be actively bleeding.

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