Hiatal Hernia ICD-10-CM Codes

What ICD-10 codes are used for hiatal hernia?

You can check the following codes for hiatal hernia:

K44.1: Diaphragmatic hernia with gangrene

This congenital anomaly leads to the presence of a hole in the diaphragm, allowing abdominal organs to protrude through it. Among these organs is the stomach, and when it passes through the opening caused by the diaphragmatic hernia, it results in a hiatal hernia. Hence, this specific ICD-10 code can be used for individuals diagnosed with a hiatal hernia.

Additionally, the patient also presents with gangrene, a condition in which a specific tissue undergoes decomposition due to bacterial infection or impaired circulation.

K44.9: Diaphragmatic hernia without obstruction or gangrene

This ICD-10 CM diagnosis code represents Diaphragmatic hernia without gangrene or an obstruction This is similar to the ICD-10 code K44.1, but this time, the patient doesn't have gangrene or any obstruction. If a patient has hiatal hernia, it is due to the hole left by the diaphragmatic hernia.

K44.0: Diaphragmatic hernia with obstruction, without gangrene

ICD-10 code K44.0 refers to a diaphragmatic hernia that is causing an obstruction but does not involve tissue death (gangrene). This condition occurs when abdominal organs push through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, blocking normal digestive flow without signs of tissue necrosis.

Q40.1: Congenital hiatus hernia

This code, under the code range Q00-Q99: Congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities, is applicable when the patient has congenital hiatal hernia.

Which of these hiatal hernia ICD codes are billable?

All of the aforementioned codes are billable codes and can be used to designate a patient for reimbursement purposes.

Clinical information

Hiatal hernia is a specific type of hernia where the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity. Small hiatal hernias generally do not pose significant issues. However, it is the large hiatal hernias that warrant concern. Large hiatal hernias have the potential to allow food and stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, leading to symptoms such as heartburn and vomiting.

A person with hiatal hernia may have the following symptoms:

• Heartburn
• Vomiting (if they vomit blood, that's a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding)
• Regurgitation of food and liquid back to the mouth
• Pain in the chest or abdomen
• Difficulty swallowing food

Medication, particularly those that inhibit and decrease acid production, can be utilized in the treatment of hiatal hernia. However, in cases where the hernia is of significant size, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Synonyms include

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia
• Esophageal reflux finding
• Excessive gastric reflux
• Chalasia of lower esophageal sphincter
• Diaphragmatic hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Digestive system reflux
• Diaphragmatic hernia NOS