2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K56.601Complete intestinal obstruction, unspecified as to cause

ICD-10-CM Codes›K00–K95›K55-K64›K56

ICD-10-CM K56.601
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

K56.601 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for complete intestinal obstruction, unspecified as to cause. 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 complete obstruction of colon. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Intestinal obstruction and ileus.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
K56.601
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Complete intestinal obstruction, unspecified as to cause
Short Description
Complete intestinal obstruction, unspecified as to cause
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
K56.60
Unspecified intestinal obstruction

Code Classification

ChapterK00–K95Diseases of the digestive system
SectionK55-K64Other diseases of intestines
CategoryK56Paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia
This CodeK56.601Complete intestinal obstruction, unspecified as to cause

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Complete obstruction of colon
  • Complete obstruction of intestine
  • Complete obstruction of lumen of small intestine
  • Obstruction of colon

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.

    • Obstruction, obstructed, obstructive
      • intestine
        • complete

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

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Intestinal Obstruction

    any impairment, arrest, or reversal of the normal flow of intestinal contents toward the anal canal.

Convert K56.601 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
560.9 Intestinal obstruct NOS
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement K56.601 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • K56.60 - Unspecified intestinal obstruction
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 K56.601Overview

Is K56.601 (Unspecified intestinal obstruction) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does K56.601 group to?

When complete intestinal obstruction, unspecified as to cause 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 K56.601?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, complete intestinal obstruction, unspecified as to cause converts to ICD-9-CM 560.9 (intestinal obstruct NOS). 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.