2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K56.50Intestinal adhesions [bands], unspecified as to partial versus complete obstruction

ICD-10-CM Codes›K00–K95›K55-K64›K56

ICD-10-CM K56.50
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

K56.50 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for intestinal adhesions [bands], unspecified as to partial versus complete obstruction. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 388 through 390. Coders also document this condition as colonic adhesions. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Intestinal obstruction and ileus.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
K56.50
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Intestinal adhesions [bands], unspecified as to partial versus complete obstruction
Short Description
Intestnl adhesions, unsp as to partial versus complete obst
Parent Code
K56.5
Intestinal adhesions [bands] with obstruction (postinfection)

Code Classification

ChapterK00–K95Diseases of the digestive system
SectionK55-K64Other diseases of intestines
CategoryK56Paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia
This CodeK56.50Intestinal adhesions [bands], unspecified as to partial versus complete obstruction

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Colonic adhesions
  • Intestinal adhesions with obstruction
  • Intestinal obstruction due to adhesion of small intestine
  • Kinking of colon co-occurrent and due to adhesions
  • Large bowel adhesions
  • Obstruction of large intestine co-occurrent and due to peritoneal adhesions
  • Obstruction of small intestine co-occurrent and due to peritoneal adhesions
  • Peritoneal adhesions with obstruction

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Intestinal adhesions with obstruction NOS

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Adhesions, adhesive(postinfective)
      • with intestinal obstruction
    • Adhesions, adhesive(postinfective)
      • intestine
        • with obstruction
    • Adhesions, adhesive(postinfective)
      • peritoneum, peritoneal (postinfective)
        • with obstruction (intestinal)
    • Band(s)
      • obstructive
        • intestine
    • Band(s)
      • obstructive
        • peritoneum
    • Hernia, hernial(acquired) (recurrent)
      • due to adhesions (with obstruction)
    • Obstruction, obstructed, obstructive
      • intestine
        • with
          • adhesions (intestinal) (peritoneal)

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR DIG012
Intestinal obstruction and ileus
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

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.

Convert K56.50 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
560.81 Intestinal adhes w obstr
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement K56.50 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • K56.5 - Intestinal adhesions w obst (postprocedural) (postinfection)
  • K56.5 - Intestinal adhesions with obstruction (postinfection)
FY 2018AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2017.
FY 2019–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About K56.50Overview

Is K56.50 a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report intestinal adhesions [bands], unspecified as to partial versus complete obstruction on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does K56.50 group to?

When intestinal adhesions [bands], unspecified as to partial versus complete obstruction is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 388, 389, 390, with relative weights from 0.5440 to 1.4768 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of K56.50?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, intestinal adhesions [bands], unspecified as to partial versus complete obstruction converts to ICD-9-CM 560.81 (intestinal adhes w obstr). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.