2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K40Inguinal hernia

ICD-10-CM Codes›K00–K95›K40-K46›K40

ICD-10-CM K40
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

K40 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for inguinal hernia, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as K40.00, K40.01, K40.10, and K40.11.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
K40
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Inguinal hernia
Short Description
Inguinal hernia
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
K40-K46
Hernia

Code Classification

ChapterK00–K95Diseases of the digestive system
SectionK40-K46Hernia
CategoryK40Inguinal hernia
This CodeK40Inguinal hernia

Specific Coding for Inguinal herniaOverview

Non-specific codes like K40 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • K40.0 for Bilateral inguinal hernia, with obstruction, without gangrene

  • Use K40.00 for Bilateral inguinal hernia, with obstruction, without gangrene, not specified as recurrent

  • Use K40.01 for Bilateral inguinal hernia, with obstruction, without gangrene, recurrent

  • K40.1 for Bilateral inguinal hernia, with gangrene

  • Use K40.10 for Bilateral inguinal hernia, with gangrene, not specified as recurrent

  • Use K40.11 for Bilateral inguinal hernia, with gangrene, recurrent

  • K40.2 for Bilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangrene

  • Use K40.20 for Bilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangrene, not specified as recurrent

  • Use K40.21 for Bilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangrene, recurrent

  • K40.3 for Unilateral inguinal hernia, with obstruction, without gangrene

  • Use K40.30 for Unilateral inguinal hernia, with obstruction, without gangrene, not specified as recurrent

  • Use K40.31 for Unilateral inguinal hernia, with obstruction, without gangrene, recurrent

  • K40.4 for Unilateral inguinal hernia, with gangrene

  • Use K40.40 for Unilateral inguinal hernia, with gangrene, not specified as recurrent

  • Use K40.41 for Unilateral inguinal hernia, with gangrene, recurrent

  • K40.9 for Unilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangrene

  • Use K40.90 for Unilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangrene, not specified as recurrent

  • Use K40.91 for Unilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangrene, recurrent

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to K40: its own notes plus those printed at block K40-K46 and Chapter 11. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

On K40 itself
  • bubonocele
  • direct inguinal hernia
  • double inguinal hernia
  • indirect inguinal hernia
  • inguinal hernia NOS
  • oblique inguinal hernia
  • scrotal hernia
From Block K40-K46 Hernia applies to 45 codes
  • acquired hernia
  • congenital [except diaphragmatic or hiatus] hernia
  • recurrent hernia

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Chapter 11 (K00-K95) Diseases of the digestive system applies to 863 codes
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Block K40-K46 Hernia applies to 45 codes
  • Hernia with both gangrene and obstruction is classified to hernia with gangrene.

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name K40, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming K40: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • K56.7 Ileus, unspecified
    intestinal obstruction with hernia (K40-K46)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Hernia, Inguinal

    an abdominal hernia with an external bulge in the groin region. it can be classified by the location of herniation. indirect inguinal hernias occur through the internal inguinal ring. direct inguinal hernias occur through defects in the abdominal wall (transversalis fascia) in hesselbach's triangle. the former type is commonly seen in children and young adults; the latter in adults.

Patient EducationClinical

Hernia

A hernia happens when part of an internal organ or tissue bulges through a weak area of muscle. Most hernias are in the abdomen.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About K40Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for inguinal hernia?

K40 is the ICD-10-CM category for inguinal hernia, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is K40 (Inguinal hernia) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for inguinal hernia, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for inguinal hernia need a more specific code from this category, such as K40.00, K40.01, and K40.10.