K27.5
BillableChronic or unspecified peptic ulcer, site unspecified, with perforation
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 78 — Intestinal Obstruction/Perforation
0.000V24HCC 33 — Intestinal Obstruction/Perforation
0.226ESRDHCC 33 — Intestinal Obstruction/Perforation
0.000What This Code Means
A chronic or long-standing peptic ulcer at an unspecified location that has perforated.
Coding Tips
Clinical Significance
Chronic or unspecified peptic ulcer of unspecified site with perforation captures a perforating ulcer where neither the acuity nor the site can be determined from documentation. This represents a documentation gap that should trigger provider queries. Perforation of any peptic ulcer requires urgent management regardless of acuity or location specificity.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Provider documentation of peptic ulcer with perforation, chronic or unspecified acuity
- ✓Evidence of perforation (imaging, operative findings, or clinical signs)
- ✓Documentation confirming the site was not identified (neither gastric, duodenal, nor gastrojejunal)
- ✓History of ulcer disease if applicable (supports chronic designation)
- ✓Treatment documentation
Commonly Confused Codes
K25.5 — Chronic or unspecified gastric ulcer with perforation: use when gastric site is knownK26.5 — Chronic or unspecified duodenal ulcer with perforation: use when duodenal site is knownK28.5 — Chronic or unspecified gastrojejunal ulcer with perforation: use when gastrojejunal site is knownK27.1 — Acute peptic ulcer, site unspecified, with perforation: use when acuity is acuteK27.6 — Chronic or unspecified peptic ulcer, site unspecified, with both hemorrhage and perforation: when bleeding is also present
Code Hierarchy
└K27Peptic ulcer, site unspecified└K27.5Chronic or unspecified peptic ulcer, site unspecified, with perforation
└K27.5Chronic or unspecified peptic ulcer, site unspecified, with perforation