2025 ICD-10-CM code R13.14
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified - Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen (R10-R19) Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99) Feed
Dysphagia, pharyngoesophageal phase. This code is used when there is difficulty swallowing in the pharynx and esophagus.
Modifiers may be applicable based on the circumstances of the encounter and the type of services provided. For example, a modifier may be used to indicate the place of service or the type of professional who provided the service.
Medical necessity for coding R13.14 is established by the presence of clinically significant dysphagia, impacting the patient's ability to consume adequate nutrition or hydration, and necessitating medical evaluation and potential intervention.
The clinical responsibility for this code involves a thorough evaluation of the patient's swallowing difficulties, including a detailed history, physical examination, and possibly diagnostic testing (e.g., endoscopy, barium swallow study) to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment plan. This may involve gastroenterologists, otolaryngologists, or neurologists depending on the suspected etiology.
- Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
- R13.14 falls under the broader category of R13 (Dysphagia)
In simple words: Difficulty swallowing food or liquid, affecting both the throat and the tube connecting the throat to the stomach.This can range from mild discomfort to complete inability to swallow.
Dysphagia, pharyngoesophageal phase, refers to difficulty swallowing involving both the pharynx (throat) and the esophagus (tube connecting the throat to the stomach).This condition encompasses a range of swallowing problems, from mild discomfort to complete inability to swallow food or liquid. The etiology can vary widely and necessitates further investigation to pinpoint the underlying cause.
Example 1: A 65-year-old male presents with progressive difficulty swallowing solids, accompanied by chest pain.Endoscopy reveals esophageal stricture.R13.14 is coded to indicate the dysphagia, with further codes added to specify the esophageal stricture., A 70-year-old female experiences sudden onset of dysphagia after a stroke.Imaging studies confirm neurological damage affecting swallowing mechanisms.R13.14 is used for the dysphagia, along with codes reflecting the cerebrovascular accident and neurological deficits., A 30-year-old patient reports intermittent difficulty swallowing liquids, associated with heartburn and regurgitation. A diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is made. R13.14 might be coded alongside the GERD diagnosis (K21.9).
Detailed history of swallowing difficulties, including onset, progression, types of food/liquids affected, associated symptoms (pain, regurgitation, weight loss), and relevant medical history.Physical examination findings, including assessment of cranial nerves involved in swallowing. Results of any diagnostic tests (e.g., endoscopy, barium swallow, manometry).Treatment plan and response to therapy.
** This code should be used when the dysphagia is the primary reason for the encounter. If the dysphagia is secondary to another condition, the primary diagnosis should be coded first.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Gastroenterology, Otolaryngology, Neurology
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital Inpatient, Hospital Outpatient, Skilled Nursing Facility