2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K81Cholecystitis

ICD-10-CM Codes›K00–K95›K80-K87›K81

ICD-10-CM K81
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

K81 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for cholecystitis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as K81.0, K81.1, K81.2, and K81.9.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
K81
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Cholecystitis
Chapter
K80-K87
Disorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas

Code Classification

ChapterK00–K95Diseases of the digestive system
SectionK80-K87Disorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas
CategoryK81Cholecystitis
This CodeK81Cholecystitis

Specific Coding for CholecystitisOverview

Non-specific codes like K81 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use K81.0 for Acute cholecystitis

  • Use K81.1 for Chronic cholecystitis

  • Use K81.2 for Acute cholecystitis with chronic cholecystitis

  • Use K81.9 for Cholecystitis, unspecified

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Use Additional Code

  • code if applicable for associated gangrene of gallbladder K82.A1 K82.A2

Type 1 Excludes

  • cholecystitis with cholelithiasis K80

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Acalculous Cholecystitis

    inflammation of the gallbladder wall in the absence of gallstones.

  • Cholecystitis

    inflammation of the gallbladder; generally caused by impairment of bile flow, gallstones in the biliary tract, infections, or other diseases.

  • Cholecystitis, Acute

    acute inflammation of the gallbladder wall. it is characterized by the presence of abdominal pain; fever; and leukocytosis. gallstone obstruction of the cystic duct is present in approximately 90% of the cases.

  • Emphysematous Cholecystitis

    a variant of acute cholecystitis with inflammation of the gallbladder that is characterized by the pockets of gas in the gallbladder wall. it is due to secondary infection caused by gas-forming organisms, and has a high risk of perforation.

  • Gallbladder

    a storage reservoir for bile secretion. gallbladder allows the delivery of bile acids at a high concentration and in a controlled manner, via the cystic duct to the duodenum, for degradation of dietary lipid.

  • Cholecystitis, CTCAE|Cholecystitis|Cholecystitis|Cholecystitis, CTCAE 5.0

    a disorder characterized by inflammation involving the gallbladder. it may be associated with the presence of gallstones.

  • Acalculous Cholecystitis

    inflammation of the gallbladder in the absence of gallstones.

  • Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis

    acute inflammation of the gallbladder in the absence of gallstones

  • Acute Cholecystitis

    acute inflammation of the gallbladder.

  • Cholecystitis

    an acute or chronic inflammation involving the gallbladder wall. it may be associated with the presence of gallstones.

  • Cholecystitis with Cholelithiasis

    an acute or chronic inflammation of the gallbladder associated with the presence of gallstones.

  • Cholecystitis, CTCAE 5.0|Cholecystitis|Cholecystitis

    a disorder characterized by inflammation involving the gallbladder. it may be associated with the presence of gallstones.

  • Chronic Acalculous Cholecystitis

    chronic cholecystitis not associated with the presence of gallstones.

  • Chronic Cholecystitis

    cholecystitis that is persistent and long-standing.

  • Emphysematous Cholecystitis

    cholecystitis resulting from infection by gas producing organisms.

  • Grade 2 Cholecystitis, CTCAE|Grade 2 Cholecystitis|Grade 2 Cholecystitis

    symptomatic; medical intervention indicated

  • Grade 3 Cholecystitis, CTCAE|Grade 3 Cholecystitis|Grade 3 Cholecystitis

    severe symptoms; invasive intervention indicated

  • Grade 4 Cholecystitis, CTCAE|Grade 4 Cholecystitis|Grade 4 Cholecystitis

    life-threatening consequences; urgent operative intervention indicated

  • Grade 5 Cholecystitis, CTCAE|Grade 5 Cholecystitis|Grade 5 Cholecystitis

    death

  • Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis

    cholecystitis that is characterized by nodules containing lipid.

Patient EducationClinical

Gallbladder Diseases

Your gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ under your liver. It stores bile, a fluid made by your liver to digest fat. As your stomach and intestines digest food, your gallbladder releases bile through a tube called the common bile duct. The duct connects your gallbladder and liver to your small intestine.

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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About K81Overview

Is K81 (Cholecystitis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for cholecystitis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for cholecystitis need a more specific code from this category, such as K81.0, K81.1, and K81.2.