Cholecystitis (K81) ICD-10-CM
The K81 code range covers cholecystitis with 5 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 4 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
- cholecystitis with cholelithiasis K80
Codes in the K81 Range 5 codes · 4 billable
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the K81 range.
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.
About the K81 Code Range
ICD-10 codes in the K81 category are used specifically to classify different forms of cholecystitis, which is inflammation of the gallbladder. These codes help medical professionals identify whether the condition is acute, chronic, a combination of both, or unspecified.
The ICD-10 code K81.0 covers acute cholecystitis, including variants like gangrenous or hemorrhagic forms, sometimes called gangrene of gallbladder or acute emphysematous cholecystitis. The code K81.1 represents chronic cholecystitis, also known by terms such as cholecystitis glandularis proliferans. When both acute and chronic inflammation occur simultaneously, K81.2 is used. If a diagnosis simply states cholecystitis without further detail, the unspecified code K81.9 applies. Understanding these distinctions ensures accurate coding for conditions related to gallbladder inflammation, supporting clinical care and healthcare data management.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the K81 range?
Of the 5 codes in this range, 4 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 K81 range classify?
The range classifies cholecystitis. 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.
