K21.00 vs K44
K21.00 (Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, without bleeding) compared with K44 (Diaphragmatic hernia), from the official CMS tabular data. Both may be reported when both conditions are documented (Excludes2).
Can these codes be reported together?
Yes, when both are documented. K21.00 carries an Excludes2 note covering K44: “hiatus hernia (K44.-)”
Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.
Side by side
| K21.00Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, without bleeding | K44Diaphragmatic hernia | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Billable | Non-billable header |
| Classification | K00-K95 — Diseases of the Digestive System (K00-K95) | K00-K95 — Diseases of the Digestive System (K00-K95) |
| Definition | Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, without bleeding is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (K21.00). | Diaphragmatic hernia is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (K44). |
| Includes | Reflux esophagitis | hiatus hernia (esophageal) (sliding) paraesophageal hernia acquired hernia congenital [except diaphragmatic or hiatus] hernia |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources