October 30, 2025

Coding Chronic Inactive Gastritis

Chronic inactive gastritis is often noted in an EGD result or path report. 


It is important to still code this, even though it is “inactive” as it can still greatly affect the patient’s quality of life and can increase the risk of developing stomach cancer in the future.  In some cases, untreated inactive gastritis can progress to active gastritis, which may require more aggressive treatment. 



INACTIVE VS ACTIVE Gastritis 


Inactive: chronic inflammation of stomach lining without tissue damage or injury 


Active: chronic inflammation with presence of neutrophils in stomach lining, with ongoing tissue damage or injury (example: with infection or ulceration) 


The neutrophils being there show the immune system is attempting to actively fight an issue. 



ICD-10 Codes don’t differentiate between active & inactive gastritis: 


K29.50 chronic gastritis without bleeding 

K29.51 chronic gastritis with bleeding 

Add code for infection, if that applies (example: B96.81 for Helicobacter pylori) 

Other specified gastritis has specific codes (atrophic, superficial, alcoholic, etc. – see ICD-10 index) 

 


What This Means in Practice 

 

  • Code chronic gastritis, even if documented as inactive 
  • Code to highest specificity according to ICD-10-CM index and tabular 
  • Code any secondary conditions that further explain in detail the patient’s condition 


 

 
Katie Brown, CCS, Senior Consultant, Audit at UASI

Katie Brown, CCS 

Senior Consultant, Audit at UASI

 

Katie Brown, CCS, is an AHIMA-certified Senior Coding Consultant specializing in CPT/ICD-10 coding, compliance audits, and revenue cycle support. She’s worked across diverse outpatient and inpatient settings, including ER, surgery, observation, and specialty clinics, and enjoys training coders with practical, CDI-friendly tips. 



Works Cited

Singh, N. (2023, July 14). Chronic inactive gastritis: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. iCliniq.
Available at
https://www.icliniq.com/articles/gastro-health/chronic-inactive-gastritis#:~:text=Chronic%20inactive%20gastritis%20is%20a%20type%20of%20gastritis%20marked%20by,vomiting%2C%20and%20loss%20of%20appetite.

MRI brain scans illustrating symptoms of PRES with title text overlay.
December 9, 2025
Learn the symptoms of PRES, key treatment considerations, ICD-10-CM code I67.83, and documentation tips for CDI and accurate DRG assignment.
Microscopic immune cells interacting in cellular environment, illustrating immune effector activity
By Katie Curry December 1, 2025
Understand ICANS documentation and ICD-10 coding with guidance on the ICANS grading system, ICE score, clinical indicators, and CAR T-cell neurotoxicity.
Fingerstick blood glucose test being performed, illustrating screening and monitoring practices for gestational diabetes.
By Katie Curry November 3, 2025
Gestational Diabetes
Clinician pointing to anatomical kidney model illustrating acute kidney injury.
By Katie Curry October 20, 2025
Learn how to identify, document, and code acute kidney injury (AKI), including diagnostic criteria, staging, ICD-10-CM guidance, and CDI query considerations.
Blurred hospital scene symbolizing CDI review of firearm injury intent reporting.
By Katie Curry September 30, 2025
Learn how firearm injury intent is documented and reported in ICD-10-CM, including intent categories, external cause codes, and documentation considerations.
Title image for the ventricular standstill clinical documentation and coding overview
By Katie Curry September 22, 2025
Learn how ventricular standstill is documented and coded, including clinical indicators, ICD-10-CM guidance, and common documentation considerations.
Title image for neurostorming (PSH) documentation and coding
By Katie Curry September 7, 2025
Learn how neurostorming, also known as paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH), is documented and coded using ICD-10-CM guidance.
By Katie Curry August 7, 2025
Background: With the 2026 IPPS Proposed Final Rule comes a new diabetes code, E11.A, Type II diabetes mellitus without complications in remission. This is a non-CC/MCC and is assigned to MDC 10. ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting 2026: Section I.C.4.a.1.(b) - “Code E11.A, Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications in remission, is assigned based on provider documentation that the diabetes mellitus is in remission. If the documentation is unclear as to whether the Type 2 diabetes mellitus has achieved remission, the provider should be queried. For example, the term “resolved” is not synonymous with remission.” Clinical criteria for diabetes in remission: Note* - Remission does not mean cure. Ongoing monitoring is essential as relapse is possible. 1. Prior Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus Documented history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, diagnosed using standard criteria: HbA1c ≥ 6.5% Fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL 2-hour plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL during an OGTT Random plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL with classic symptoms 2. Normal or Controlled Glucose Levels Without Medications The patient is not taking any antidiabetic medications (oral agents, insulin, or non-insulin injectables). Glycemic control is sustained through lifestyle modifications, such as diet and exercise. HbA1c < 6.5%, and sometimes < 6.0%, on two occasions at least 6 months apart without pharmacologic therapy. 3. Duration of Remission Partial remission: HbA1c < 6.5% and fasting glucose 100–125 mg/dL for at least 1 year without medications. Complete remission: HbA1c in the normal range (<5.7%) and fasting glucose <100 mg/dL for at least 1 year. Prolonged remission: Complete remission lasting ≥5 years. 4. Documentation Must Include Clear statement that diabetes is in remission or resolution. No current use of diabetes medications. Current HbA1c values. Lifestyle interventions being used. Absence of ongoing diabetic complications (or if present, they are noted as sequelae) 5. What about Type I diabetes? Is remission associated? “Honeymoon Phase” vs. Remission Some individuals newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes may experience a "honeymoon phase": This is a temporary period (weeks to months) where insulin needs to decrease and blood glucose levels may normalize. However, this is not true remission, as the autoimmune process continues and insulin dependence eventually returns. Clinical Scenario Dr. Doctor, Documentation in your visit note indicates the patient has a documented history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, but current labs show: HbA1c: 5.6% No diabetes medications (e.g., insulin, metformin) currently prescribed Patient reports lifestyle changes (e.g., diet and weight loss) No hyperglycemia documented during this admission or recent visits Query Based on the clinical picture, can you please clarify the patient’s current diabetic status? ☐ Type 2 diabetes mellitus – continue to document and treat as active ☐ History of type 2 diabetes mellitus, currently in remission (no medications, normal glucose values) ☐ Other: ________________
By Katie Curry July 9, 2025
Definition: Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is a clinically defined syndrome of disturbed neurologic function in the earliest days of life in a term or late preterm infant, manifested by difficulty with initiating and maintaining respiration, depression of tone and reflexes, subnormal level of consciousness, and often seizures. Clinical presentation: Low APGAR scores and/or weak/absent cry in the delivery room. Hyperalert, irritable, lethargic, obtunded. Decreased spontaneous movements, poor tone, blunted or absent primitive reflexes, seizure activity. Breathing and/or feeding difficulties. Documentation Tips: The CDS should review to identify the underlying etiology . (e.g., hypoxic-ischemic event, infection, metabolic disorder). Review clinical indicators that may indicate associated conditions , such as seizures, abnormal imaging, acidosis, or multi-organ dysfunction. Review the documentation for the timing of onset (e.g., at birth, delayed). Common clinical indicators include low APGAR scores, need for resuscitation, abnormal tone, or altered level of consciousness.  ICD-10-CM Coding: P91.811, Neonatal encephalopathy in diseases classified elsewhere P91.819, Neonatal encephalopathy, unspecified Use when the type or etiology of NE is not documented Query Example: To the Attending Neonatologist: Documentation in the medical record indicates the newborn infant delivered from mother with placental abruption demonstrates seizures, abnormal muscle tone, low APGAR scores, and required resuscitation at birth. Imaging showed evidence of cerebral edema. The diagnosis of “neonatal encephalopathy” was documented in the assessment. Query: Based on the clinical indicators, can you clarify the type and cause of the encephalopathy in this newborn? Please select the most appropriate option below or specify another diagnosis: Neonatal encephalopathy due to Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) Neonatal encephalopathy due to other etiology (please specify) Other (please specify): __________
By Katie Curry May 12, 2025
Definition: Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is an oncologic emergency caused by massive tumor cell lysis and the release of large amounts of potassium, phosphate, and uric acid into the systemic circulation. Deposition of uric acid and/or calcium phosphate crystals in the renal tubules can result in acute kidney injury.
Show More