Heartburn

This code signifies the symptom of heartburn, characterized by a burning sensation in the chest or epigastrium, often radiating to the neck, throat, or back. It is typically caused by the reflux of gastric acid into the esophagus.

Use this code when the patient presents with a chief complaint or documented symptom of heartburn, and a more specific diagnosis (e.g., GERD, esophagitis) has not yet been established or is not the primary focus of the encounter. Documentation should clearly state "heartburn" as a symptom.

• Do not use this code if a definitive diagnosis of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is documented; instead, code the specific GERD diagnosis.
• Consider sequencing this code as a secondary diagnosis if it is a symptom of a primary condition, such as gastritis or hiatal hernia.
• Ensure documentation differentiates heartburn from other chest pain etiologies, such as angina.