Acute pancreatitis (K85) ICD-10-CM
The K85 code range covers acute pancreatitis with 25 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 18 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- acute (recurrent) pancreatitis
- subacute pancreatitis
Codes in the K85 Range 25 codes · 18 billable
- K85 Acute pancreatitisNon-billable
- K85.0 Idiopathic acute pancreatitisNon-billable
- K85.00 Idiopathic acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection
- K85.01 Idiopathic acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis
- K85.02 Idiopathic acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis
- K85.1 Biliary acute pancreatitisNon-billable
- K85.10 Biliary acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection
- K85.11 Biliary acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis
- K85.12 Biliary acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis
- K85.2 Alcohol induced acute pancreatitisNon-billable
- K85.20 Alcohol induced acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection
- K85.21 Alcohol induced acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis
- K85.22 Alcohol induced acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis
- K85.3 Drug induced acute pancreatitisNon-billable
- K85.30 Drug induced acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection
- K85.31 Drug induced acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis
- K85.32 Drug induced acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis
- K85.8 Other acute pancreatitisNon-billable
- K85.80 Other acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection
- K85.81 Other acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis
- K85.82 Other acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis
- K85.9 Acute pancreatitis, unspecifiedNon-billable
- K85.90 Acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection, unspecified
- K85.91 Acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis, unspecified
- K85.92 Acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis, unspecified
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the K85 range.
Autoimmune Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis associated with autoimmune diseases.
Pancreas Transplantation
The transference of a pancreas from one human or animal to another.
Pancreatitis
INFLAMMATION of the PANCREAS. Pancreatitis is classified as acute unless there are computed tomographic or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographic findings of CHRONIC PANCREATITIS (International Symposium on Acute Pancreatitis, Atlanta, 1992). The two most common forms of acute pancreatitis are ALCOHOLIC PANCREATITIS and gallstone pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis, Acute Hemorrhagic
An acute INFLAMMATION of the PANCREAS in which the initial edematous pancreatitis evolved into necrosis accompanied by HEMORRHAGE.
Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing
A severe form of acute INFLAMMATION of the PANCREAS characterized by one or more areas of NECROSIS in the pancreas with varying degree of involvement of the surrounding tissues or organ systems. Massive pancreatic necrosis may lead to DIABETES MELLITUS, and malabsorption.
Pancreatitis, Alcoholic
Acute or chronic INFLAMMATION of the PANCREAS due to excessive ALCOHOL DRINKING. Alcoholic pancreatitis usually presents as an acute episode but it is a chronic progressive disease in alcoholics.
Pancreatitis, Chronic
INFLAMMATION of the PANCREAS that is characterized by recurring or persistent ABDOMINAL PAIN with or without STEATORRHEA or DIABETES MELLITUS. It is characterized by the irregular destruction of the pancreatic parenchyma which may be focal, segmental, or diffuse.
Pancreatitis, Graft
An inflammatory disease and serious complication of PANCREAS TRANSPLANTATION. It is caused by a premature activation of pancreatic proenzymes leading to autodigestion of the gland and can be attributed to immunological or nonimmunological causes.
Pancreatitis-Associated Proteins
C-type lectins that restrict growth of bacteria in the intestinal epithelia and have bactericidal activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. They also regulate proliferation and differentiation of KERATINOCYTES following injury. Human pancreatitis-associated protein-1 (Reg3a) is overexpressed by pancreatic ACINAR CELLS in patients with CHRONIC PANCREATITIS. It is also highly expressed by pancreatic, bladder, and gastrointestinal cancer cells and may serve as a diagnostic biomarker.
About the K85 Code Range
ICD-10 code K85 covers acute pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that can arise from various causes such as idiopathic origins, gallstones, alcohol use, or drugs. This code section helps healthcare providers specify the type and severity, including whether the pancreatitis involves necrosis (tissue death) or infection.
Each subcode offers a precise classification: for example, K85.00 refers to idiopathic acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection, which includes conditions sometimes called familial or hereditary pancreatitis. K85.10 identifies biliary acute pancreatitis, commonly known as gallstone pancreatitis. Alcohol-induced pancreatitis is coded under K85.20, covering inflammation caused by alcohol consumption. Drug-induced cases are described under K85.30. Other less common causes are included under K85.80 with synonyms like autoimmune or ischemic pancreatitis. Unspecified acute pancreatitis falls into the K85.9 range, useful when detailed cause or necrosis status isn’t confirmed. This detailed coding aids accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and documentation of acute pancreatitis in medical records.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the K85 range?
Of the 25 codes in this range, 18 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the K85 range classify?
The range classifies acute pancreatitis. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
