Chronic or unsp peptic ulcer, site unsp, with hemorrhage

This code signifies a long-standing or undiagnosed ulceration within the gastrointestinal tract, specifically the stomach or duodenum, that has resulted in bleeding. The precise anatomical location of the ulcer is not documented or is unknown. The hemorrhage can manifest as hematemesis, melena, or occult blood loss.

This code is appropriate when documentation indicates a peptic ulcer with active or recent hemorrhage, but the specific site (gastric vs. duodenal) is not specified, or the chronicity is not clearly defined as acute. It is used when the physician's diagnosis explicitly states "chronic or unspecified peptic ulcer with hemorrhage, site unspecified."

• Do not use this code if the ulcer site (gastric or duodenal) is clearly documented; instead, select a more specific code from the K25 or K26 series.
• Ensure documentation supports the presence of hemorrhage; if bleeding is not mentioned, a different code for peptic ulcer without hemorrhage should be chosen.
• Consider sequencing if an underlying cause for the ulcer (e.g., drug-induced) is also documented; the ulcer code may be a secondary diagnosis.