The primary ICD-10-CM code for gastrointestinal hemorrhage is K92.2 (Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, unspecified), a billable code reported when GI bleeding is documented without specification of the source or location within the gastrointestinal tract.
Primary codes
Billable
Billable
Extension
—
7th character
—
POA exempt
No
Inclusion terms
- Gastric hemorrhage NOS
- Intestinal hemorrhage NOS
Coding risks
- Assigning when documentation supports a more specific code
Hierarchy
Code comparison
Compare key differences between related codes to select the most specific option.
| Code | Description | Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| K92.2 | Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, unspecified | GI bleeding documented without specification of hematemesis, melena, or source location. |
| K92.0 | Hematemesis | Patient presenting with vomiting of blood, source of bleeding not otherwise specified. |
| K92.1 | Melena | Patient with documented melena or black tarry stools, without hematemesis noted. |
Select the most specific code supported by the encounter documentation. More specific codes improve reimbursement accuracy and reduce audit risk.
Code ranges
Other diseases of digestive system
Covers gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hematemesis, melena, and other specified or unspecified conditions affecting the digestive tract not classified elsewhere.
Other diseases of the digestive system
Encompasses intestinal malabsorption, postprocedural digestive disorders, and miscellaneous digestive conditions not captured in earlier chapter sections.
Gastric, duodenal, and peptic ulcers
Classifies gastric, duodenal, peptic, and gastrojejunal ulcers with combination codes indicating hemorrhage, perforation, or both.
Angiodysplasia of colon
Identifies vascular ectasia of the colon with or without hemorrhage as a specific structural source of lower GI bleeding.
Hemorrhage of anus and rectum
Captures bleeding localized to the anus and rectum when a more specific pathology is not identified.
Coding risks
Avoid these common coding issues when reporting Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage.
Impact
Assigning K92.2 without a documented source may miscode true upper GI bleeds like esophageal varices (I85.01) or peptic ulcer bleeds (K25-K28).
Mitigation
Consider querying the provider when the bleeding site is absent rather than inferring from stool color or hemoglobin trends.
Related codes
Ancillary and co-coding
Codes commonly reported with the primary diagnosis on the same claim.
Z-code variants
Family history, personal history, or screening encounter codes related to this condition.
Differential codes
Alternative or commonly confused codes to consider when documentation suggests a different condition than the primary diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
Use K92.2 only when the bleeding source is undocumented. If an ulcer, varices, or diverticular source is confirmed, code the site-specific hemorrhage instead.
References
Compiled from the following authoritative coding references. Last updated 2026-08-04.