2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K56Paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia

ICD-10-CM Codes›K00–K95›K55-K64›K56

ICD-10-CM K56
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

K56 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as K56.0, K56.1, K56.2, and K56.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
K56
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia
Short Description
Paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
K55-K64
Other diseases of intestines

Code Classification

ChapterK00–K95Diseases of the digestive system
SectionK55-K64Other diseases of intestines
CategoryK56Paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia
This CodeK56Paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia

Specific Coding for Paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without herniaOverview

Non-specific codes like K56 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use K56.0 for Paralytic ileus

  • Use K56.1 for Intussusception

  • Use K56.2 for Volvulus

  • Use K56.3 for Gallstone ileus

  • K56.4 for Other impaction of intestine

  • Use K56.41 for Fecal impaction

  • Use K56.49 for Other impaction of intestine

  • K56.5 for Intestinal adhesions [bands] with obstruction (postinfection)

  • Use K56.50 for Intestinal adhesions [bands], unspecified as to partial versus complete obstruction

  • Use K56.51 for Intestinal adhesions [bands], with partial obstruction

  • Use K56.52 for Intestinal adhesions [bands] with complete obstruction

  • K56.6 for Other and unspecified intestinal obstruction

  • K56.60 for Unspecified intestinal obstruction

  • K56.69 for Other intestinal obstruction

  • Use K56.7 for Ileus, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to K56: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 11. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • congenital stricture or stenosis of intestine (Q41-Q42)
  • cystic fibrosis with meconium ileus (E84.11)
  • ischemic stricture of intestine (K55.1)
  • meconium ileus NOS (P76.0)
  • neonatal intestinal obstructions classifiable to P76.-
  • obstruction of duodenum (K31.5)
  • postprocedural intestinal obstruction (K91.3-)

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.

On K56 itself
  • stenosis of anus or rectum (K62.4)
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)

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name K56, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming K56: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • P76.8 Other specified intestinal obstruction of newborn
    intestinal obstruction classifiable to K56.-

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming K56: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • Block R10-R19 Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen
    intestinal obstruction (K56.-)

Patient EducationClinical

Intestinal Obstruction

An intestinal obstruction occurs when food or stool cannot move through the intestines. The obstruction can be complete or partial. There are many causes. The most common are adhesions, hernias, cancers, and certain medicines.

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 K56Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia?

K56 is the ICD-10-CM category for paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is K56 (Paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia need a more specific code from this category, such as K56.0, K56.1, and K56.2.

Can K56 be reported with E84.11?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on K56 lists "cystic fibrosis with meconium ileus (E84.11)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).