K27.6

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

A chronic or long-standing peptic ulcer at an unspecified location that is both actively bleeding and has perforated.

Coding Tips

• •This represents the most severe peptic ulcer complication with both hemorrhage and perforation
• •Ensure both complications are clearly documented before assigning this code

Clinical Significance

Chronic or unspecified peptic ulcer of unspecified site with both hemorrhage and perforation is the least specific combination code for the most severe peptic ulcer complication. Both active bleeding and wall penetration in a chronic ulcer indicate refractory disease. This code should only be used when exhaustive review of documentation fails to reveal the anatomic site.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Provider documentation of peptic ulcer with BOTH hemorrhage AND perforation
• ✓Evidence of both hemorrhage and perforation as documented in clinical findings
• ✓Chronicity or unspecified nature of the ulcer documented
• ✓Confirmation that the site cannot be determined from available records
• ✓Treatment documentation addressing both complications

Commonly Confused Codes